The Election Commission has decided to go big and bold on the indelible ink mark on voters’ fingers. After receiving complaints of “improper application” of ink by poll officials, the Commission ordered all its officials to apply the ink using a broad brush running from the top of the nail to the end of the finger joint.
The order issued by the Commission read that the “ink will be applied on voter’s finger with the help of brush from top of the nail to the bottom of the first joint of the left forefinger”. The brush used for this purpose will be broad to ensure the mark on the voter’s finger is more prominent and less likely to be erased.
The instruction further entrusted the polling official in-charge of the ‘control unit’ (EVM) to ensure that the indelible ink mark is kept intact before the voter presses the ballot button on the voting machine. Reports had surfaced in the previous elections that the ink was either light or not applied properly. This led to suspicion of unfair means employed in elections.
Since 1962, the Government procures the indelible ink from Mysore Paints and Varnish ltd, the sole proprietor manufacturing the ink for voting purposes. The Commission has written to Managing Director of the said company to provide the brushes along with the ink to respective states and UTs with immediate effect. In addition, EC has directed state electoral officers to inform presiding officers and polling officers to ensure strict compliance of its instruction.