60-Year-Old Man Dies While Casting Vote in J&K
Rajouri, May 25 (WD): A 60-year-old man tragically passed away while casting his vote inside a polling booth during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The incident occurred in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The deceased has been identified as Mohd Iqbal, a resident of Kalla Mohalla Nerojal in Rajouri. Reports indicate that Iqbal likely suffered a heart attack while he was at the polling station, leading to his sudden demise.
This unfortunate event highlights the vulnerabilities and health risks faced by voters, particularly elderly individuals, during the strenuous process of casting their votes. It also underscores the need for immediate medical assistance facilities at polling stations, especially in remote and rural areas.
Last week, a similar incident was reported in Bihar’s Munger district, where a presiding officer died while on election duty. Omkar Kumar Choudhary, the presiding officer of booth number 210 in Shankarpur village, reportedly suffered a heart attack.
Following the incident in Bihar, Choudhary was immediately rushed to Sadar Hospital in Munger. Despite efforts to save him, he could not be revived, resulting in another tragic loss during the election period.
These incidents raise concerns about the stressful conditions under which both voters and election officials operate. The Election Commission might consider reviewing protocols to ensure the health and safety of individuals involved in the election process.
It is crucial to have adequate medical facilities and emergency response measures in place at all polling stations to prevent such unfortunate events in the future. This could include deploying medical teams and ensuring that ambulances are on standby during election days.
The back-to-back incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar highlight the need for enhanced preparedness and support systems during elections to safeguard the well-being of everyone involved in the democratic process.
