Story of indelible ink & why it is at centre of Maharashtra civic polls row
Opposition parties alleging that what should be indelible is easily coming off, alluding that this allows for scope of electoral malpractice.
Citizens check for their names in the voter list before casting their votes for BMC election, at Dharavi Transit Camp Municipal school, in Mumbai
(Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee) The purple mark on a voter’s finger is a familiar sight during elections in India. Known as indelible ink, it is meant to show that a person has already voted. During the municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra held on Thursday, this routine step has turned into a subject of controversy with Opposition parties alleging that what should be indelible is easily coming off, alluding that this allows for scope of electoral malpractice.
What is indelible ink?
Indelible ink is applied to a voter’s finger after voting. Its only purpose is to ensure that no one votes more than once. The mark is supposed to stay on the finger for several days and should not come off easily.
When did India start using it?
India began using indelible ink in 1962, during its third general election. To ensure that people do not vote more than once, the Election Commission of India decided to mark voters’ fingers with ink. The method worked and has remained in use ever since.
What is the ink made of?
The ink contains silver nitrate, which reacts with the skin and light to leave a dark mark. The stain fades only as the outer layer of skin wears away. The ink also contains a dye to make it clearly visible.
Who makes the ink?
The indelible ink used by the Election Commission is produced using a closely guarded formula developed by the National Physical Laboratory of India in the early 1950s.
The ink is currently manufactured exclusively by Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd, a Karnataka government undertaking based in Mysuru, under a contract with the Election Commission and the Union Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs.
The company supplies indelible ink for elections across the country and, with approval from the Election Commission and the Government of India, has also exported it to several countries, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, Kenya, Mongolia, Nepal and Nigeria.
How is the ink applied?
The ink is applied to the left index finger usually across the nail and the skin at its base, where it is harder to remove. It may be applied using bottles, brushes or marker pens. Polling staff are instructed to apply the ink only after a voter has cast the ballot. In the election in Maharashtra marker pens that dispense this ink were used rather than the ink being directly brushed on the nails.
How long should it last?
Normally officials say that the mark on the skin should be visible for three to four days, and the stain on the nail may last two to four weeks.
How long it stays can vary depending on the skin and whether the ink was applied properly.
Why is there a controversy in Maharashtra?
During the municipal corporation polls, some voters and Opposition parties have claimed that the ink applied after voting is coming off easily. Videos shared on social media show ink marks being wiped off with sanitiser or nail polish remover, especially where marker pens were used. This triggered political reactions with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray accused the government and election authorities of weakening safeguards against voting malpractices.
What do election authorities say?
Election officials including State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare have said that even if the ink is removed, other checks in the system prevent a person from voting again. They have also claimed that the use of marker pens for local body elections has been allowed since 2011.
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