Lok Sabha Elections 2024: What Is The Cost Of One Drop Of Voting Ink And Who Makes It?

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: As the current term of the 17th Lok Sabha in India is ending on June 16, 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections on March 16.

This Friday, the first phase of voting will happen in 102 constituencies across 21 states.

India's eligible voters, at 968.6 million, number more than twice the European Union's population of 448 million. The figure has grown 8 per cent since the 2019 elections.

As India starts voting to choose the next Prime Minister, Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd (MPVL), the sole manufacturer of indelible ink, is working diligently to meet the high demand. The Election Commission has placed its largest order yet with the company, requesting 26.55 lakh vials of the ink, valued at an impressive Rs 55 crore.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: What's The Price Of A Single Drop Of Voting Ink? Who Produces The Indelible Ink For Elections? | Stock Image

Who Makes India's only indelible ink?

As the first phase of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections kicks off on April 19, the iconic symbol of Indian elections is prominently visible – a raised left hand with only its index finger marked by purple-black indelible ink.

Mysore Paints & Varnish Ltd., a Karnataka Government Undertaking and the sole manufacturer of this ink in India informed DD News that approximately 26.5 lakh vials or small bottles (each with a capacity of 10 ml) will be produced for this election cycle.

Designed to prevent individuals from casting multiple votes, this ink has been a staple in Indian elections for a significant period. Additionally, the Indian-manufactured ink has been exported to other parts of the world for use in their elections.

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Cost Of indelible ink?

Each vial now costs Rs 174, up from Rs 160 in the previous election, and contains 10 ml of ink. Therefore, the cost of 1 liter of ink is Rs 12,700, and each drop of ink amounts to Rs 12.7. This increase is attributed to the fluctuating price of silver nitrate, a crucial component in the ink.

A 10 ml vial of ink can be used to mark the fingers of around 700 people. A polling station has around 1,200 voters.

Besides the domestic demand, the company has a pipeline of export orders to fulfill as many of the 60 nations going to polls this year need the ink for their voting processes.