Amid Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has assured the Bombay High Court it will make available ambulance or other vehicles at polling booths wherever possible.
According to the Hindustan Times, the ECI was replying to a petition that had sought directions to the ECI provide medical amenities in light of a polling officer collapsing and dying during election duty in the 2014 elections. The ECI told the Bombay High Court that ambulance or other vehicles will be made available at polling booths wherever possible to shift officers on election duty and voters to the hospital in case of an emergency.
The petition was filed by advocate Dipak Chattopadhyay and it was heard by a division bench of chief justice Pradeep Nandrajog and NM Jamdar. In its petition, Chattopadhyay said that lack of proper medical and sanitation facilities resulted in a violation of the rights of the personnel involved in manning the booths and also put them at great risk. Chattopadhyay further added that he approached the Bombay High Court after he received unfavourable reply earlier from the ECI. The ECI had replied it would not be possible, the petitioner said.
The ECI’s counsel said that a circular has already been issued stating that ambulances and vehicles would be provided at polling booths wherever possible. The Bombay High Court disposed of the petition.
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