India's massive election faces heatwave challenge in penultimate phase

25/5/2024 17:34

        The world's largest election may become the hottest on Saturday, as Indians participate in the next-to-last phase of voting with temperatures forecast to surge to 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) in the capital New Delhi.
        
        More than 111 million people in 58 constituencies across eight states and federal territories are eligible to vote in the general election's sixth phase, which recorded a turnout of 10.82% in the first two hours of the 11-hour poll.
        
        The overall turnout in the same phase of the last elections in 2019 was about 63%.
        
        "There is a concern, but we hope that people will overcome the fear of the heatwave and come and vote," Delhi Chief Electoral Officer P. Krishnamurthy told Reuters.
        
        Voting in the elections began on April 19 and will conclude on June 1, with counting set for June 4.