How Did Indelible Electoral Ink Come To Be Used In Indian Elections?

The upcoming general elections in India are anticipated to take place in April and May 2024.

If you have reached the voting age and participated in previous elections, you likely had a purplish ink applied to your fingernail as an indication of casting your vote.

Have you ever pondered the origin and production of this ink?

IndiaToday

What is indelible electoral ink?

Electoral ink, also known as indelible ink, electoral stain, or phosphoric ink, is a semi-permanent ink or dye administered on the left index fingernail and cuticle of voters during elections.

This method proves effective in countries where standardised or institutionalised identification documents for citizens may not always be available.

When was indelible ink first used in India?

Electoral ink was first introduced in India during the Lok Sabha elections in 1962.

Since its introduction, the use of electoral ink has become a standard practice in Indian elections to maintain the fairness and transparency of the voting process.

Rule 49K of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 mandates the application of indelible ink on the left forefinger of the voter as a precautionary measure against impersonation.

Who manufactures the indelible electoral ink in India?

Wikipedia

In 1961, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in New Delhi, which is part of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), developed the indelible ink used in Indian elections.

The CSIR-National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) in New Delhi patented the ink.

In 1962, the NRDC granted a license and shared the know-how with Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL), a government-owned company in Karnataka.

There was an agreement between CSIR-NRDC and MPVL for the exclusive production of indelible ink. Since then, MPVL has been the only authorized manufacturer of this ink in India for the Election Commission of India, as reported by News18.

MPVL also sells this indelible ink to more than 30 countries including Malaysia, Canada, Cambodia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Afghanistan, Turkey, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Madagascar, Singapore, Dubai, Mongolia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Denmark.

Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

How does the electoral ink leave an indelible mark?

The ink has silver nitrate, and when it touches the skin and nails, it makes a mark that stays for a while.

It dries quickly, turning into a black or purple mark in less than a minute, and it can last for a few weeks.

This ink is safe for the skin and doesn't come off with water, soap, or other cleaning stuff.

Why is indelible ink used during elections?

The purpose of using indelible ink was to prevent people from casting multiple votes and to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

The ink serves as a visible marker that helps election officials identify individuals who have already voted, reducing the risk of voter fraud.

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