Voters, poll officials sweat water out in national capital

Promised ORS packets and tents, voters and election officials alike in the capital did not even have basic amenities like drinking water to help them tide over the scorching summer heat during the day.  

Though the Chad promised to make arrangements for ORS packets and chilled water, besides putting up shades and tents in polling booths across the city, voters complained of lack of such facilities.  

In East Delhi, most of the polling booths, apart from the government higher secondary schools, did not have even the provision for drinking water.  

"We were not aware of the plans to provide ORS at the polling stations," a Presiding Officer at a booth in Jamia Nagar said. Same was the case with the polling booths in Pandav Nagar, Geeta Colony, Ghazipur, Jamia Nagar and Okhla.        

Voters at Central Delhi too complained about inadequate arrangements at the polling stations. Though ORS packets were distributed at some of the booths, the stocks were limited. Presiding Officers at various polling booths in Chandni Chowk constituency said they had not received ORS packets to help the voters beat the heat.        

"We have no ORS packets but two earthern pots filled with drinking water," said Arunav Sachdeva, Presiding Officer of booth no 44, Jannat Mahal, Kamla Market.

Voters at many polling stations in Chawri Bazaar and Matia Mahal area in Chandni Chowk constituency complained that there was no provision for ORS. Supporters of political parties were seen providing drinking water at these stations.        

In South and New Delhi too, though the booths had drinking water facility, there were no tents or provision of ORS packets to facilitate the people waiting in queues.        

"Only drinking water is being provided to voters. We were not given ORS or any other material for distribution. Also there is no one to fill the pots once the water is finished," O K Ram, Presiding Officer, booth no:62, Kalkaji said.        

Similar was the scene in many polling booths at Inderpuri, Karmapura, Patel Nagar, Rajendra Nagar in New Delhi constituency.         Things were different in west and North West Delhi Constituencies where voters were provided with ORS packets at most of the booths by mobile vans.        

People, however, complained of "poor quality" of drinking water. Even police officials posted at booths areas like Tilak Nagar and Tilak Vihar admitted that there was shortage of potable water.