The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha directed all district collectors, DEOs, and BMC officials to avoid field activities between 12 PM and 3 PM during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 due to severe heat wave conditions.
The advisory, issued by Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sushanta Kumar Mishra, instructed officials to conduct field verification and enrolment activities only during cooler hours — from 6 AM to 11 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM. The directive aims to protect field-level staff and electors from heat-related health risks during the ongoing electoral roll revision process.
The CEO emphasised that Odisha is likely to experience extreme temperatures in May, June, and July, posing serious risks to personnel engaged in house-to-house verification, enrolment camps, and facilitation services. The advisory outlined safety measures, including hydration, protective clothing, and flexible duty timings based on local weather conditions.
Officials must carry mandatory field kits containing water bottles, ORS packets, caps, and mobile phones for emergency communication. Supervisors were asked to monitor symptoms of heat-related illness, such as dizziness, fatigue, or dehydration and ensure immediate medical assistance when required.
All facilitation and enrolment centres must provide shaded waiting areas, proper ventilation, and seating arrangements for visitors. The CEO urged strict compliance with the guidelines to ensure safe and smooth conduct of SIR 2026 across the state.
