The poll panel’s guidelines come after the Met office has issued a red alert in multiple districts of the state.

The ECI guidelines state, “Avoid going out in the sun, especially between noon and 3 pm. Drink sufficient water and as often as possible, even if not thirsty. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, and porous cotton clothes.” The guidelines advise people to avoid “alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks” as they dehydrate the body. They also have details about treatment of sunstroke.

In the guidelines, the poll panel has called for “separate toilets in sufficient numbers for male and female voters at each polling station”. There should also be the provision of mobile toilet vans in hilly areas or with different topography.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said that heatwave conditions prevailing in the southern part of the state are likely to continue till Sunday.

The temperature went up to 40.5 degrees Celsius in Kolkata, while neighbouring Salt Lake clocked 40.8 degrees Celsius, the Met said.  The IMD issued a red alert in six southern districts – North 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purba Bardhman.