INDELIBLE INK -
POLITY
News: The story of indelible ink, a
lasting symbol of Indian elections, and who makes it
What's in the news?
●
As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, the iconic
symbol of Indian polls emerges ubiquitously – a left hand bearing a
purple-black mark of indelible ink, with only its index finger extended.
Indelible Ink:
●
It contains silver
nitrate, a colorless compound
that becomes visible when exposed to ultraviolet light, including sunlight.
●
The higher the concentration of silver nitrate, the
better the quality of the ink.
Features:
●
It can remain resistant
to soap, liquids, home-cleansing agents, detergents, etc., for up to 72 hours
after application.
●
This water-based ink also contains a solvent like
alcohol to facilitate faster drying.
●
The precise protocol for making this ink, including
its chemical composition and the quantity of each constituent, is not widely
known.
Manufacturing:
●
The indelible ink was first manufactured at the
request of the Election Commission of India by the government's Council of
Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).
●
Mysore Paints & Varnish Ltd. has been licensed to
manufacture the ink since 1962.
Exports:
●
It is exported to over 25 countries, including Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, Mongolia, Malaysia,
Nepal, South Africa, and the Maldives.
Legal Back-up:
●
The Representation of the People Act (RPA) of 1951 mentions the use of indelible ink.
●
Section 61 of the Act states that rules may be made
for marking the thumb or any other finger of every elector who applies for a
ballot paper before voting at a polling station.