EC says pen mix-up led to Afghan election blot

Though the Election Commission is washing its hands off the controversy over India’s ‘gift’ to the Afghanistan elections &#15...

Though the Election Commission is washing its hands off the controversy over India’s ‘gift’ to the Afghanistan elections — the indelible ink markers— sources said there has been a mix-up in the pen that was used for the purpose.

The 50,000 indelible ink markers, which were procured by the Indian External Affairs Ministry from Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited on the EC’s recommendation, nearly disrupted the Afghan elections as it was found to be washable.

While the EC is awaiting an official report, sources said officials are claiming the pen used for finger marking had a ‘‘white body’’ and was not the black one sent from India.

Story continues below this ad

‘‘The indelible-ink marker that was sent from here had a black body and not white. Most likely, the pen that was meant to mark the ballot papers was used for finger-marking,’’ an EC source said.

‘‘When the Indian consignment reached Kabul, demonstration could be given in only one camp. That perhaps created the problem,’’ an EC source said. The ink has been used in Indian elections since 1962 and ‘‘there has never been any complaint on quality.”

PM Modi releases special coin, stamp to mark 100 years of RSS

India1 hr ago

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh [RSS] had suffered at the hands of British and Nizams for its belief of ‘nation first’. He also said RSS members, including founder KB Hedgewar, had been jailed during the freedom struggle. Modi released a special commemorative postage stamp and a coin to mark the centenary of the RSS.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS