Andalusia is preparing for the general elections next Sunday, July 23, and it does so with the help of fans and portable air conditioning devices to fight against the 39-40º that are expected during the day. It is the measure that many of the community councils have adopted so that the sweltering heat does not prevent citizens from going to their polling stations (a total of 3,612) and, on the other hand, to make sure that the members that make up the tables can hold out inside the centers.
Capitals such as Granada, Córdoba and Seville have already announced their actions in this regard and will provide refrigeration points to those schools that do not have them.
The air conditioners will also reach other large municipalities in Almería, Huelva and Málaga which, despite the cost of renting the machinery, the councils have decided to assume the financial burden.
Where possible, it has been decided that the polling stations be moved to already equipped municipal facilities, while other less dense population centers have asked the Junta de Andalucía for help to redress the situation. These are not the first elections to be held in summer, but it is true that this month of July, according to data from the State Meteorological Agency, is being one of the hottest in its historical series.
It will not be one of the worst hot days that have been happening in Andalusia this summer, but it is expected that the mercury will even touch 41 degrees in some parts of the region, such as the Guadalquivir Valley. Some of the 3,612 schools spread throughout Andalusia do not have a refrigeration system, so adopting some measures to deal with this day is essential, both for voters and for those who will make up the 10,094 tables. Air machines, fans and bottles of water are the elements that seem essential to overcome Sunday.
The conditioning of the centers is the responsibility of the municipalities, although the Board has received some requests from small municipalities to help them face 23-J and ensure air-conditioned centers with access to water points.
While some of the 785 Andalusian municipalities are looking for a way to ensure that the elections take place without incidents caused by high temperatures, even going so far as to invest 20,000 euros in the rental of some air conditioning equipment, as is the case in the Almeria town of El Ejido, in others the situation is fully under control.
This is the case of Palos de la Frontera, in Huelva, where the consistory has hired a caterer that will offer breakfast and snacks to the members of the 12 polling stations, as well as granting a voucher so that the presidents and members can have lunch in restaurants near their polling stations or polling stations.
401,862 of the 6,669,596 Andalusians called to the polls have chosen to vote by mail, 72.2% more than in the 2019 elections, according to data provided by the delegate of the Government of Spain in Andalusia, Pedro Fernández.
Today, July 20, is the last day that people who have chosen to participate in the democracy party this way can cast their vote, thus avoiding having to go to their polling stations next Thursday.
A total of 23,600 public employees will ensure that Sunday passes safely, according to the Government Delegation in the community. Of these, 6,590 are members of the National Police; 9,463 are agents of the Civil Guard; local police officers add up to 2,550 more people; who are joined by 4,986 representatives of public administrations; in addition to the 83,382 members that will make up the electoral tables between presidents, members and substitutes.
The polling stations will open their doors from 09:00 a.m. and the time to deposit the votes in the polls will expire at 08:00 p.m. After that, the votes will be counted, which could take, in some cases, until 11:00 p.m. or midnight.
