After months of uncertainty, marker pens are most likely to make an ‘entry’ in an election. Upon the arrival of pens, the era of indelible ink used to mark fingers will cease to exist.
The first ever use of marker pens supplied from Mysuru is expected during the July 17 presidential election.
Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd. (MPVL), a Government of Karnataka undertaking, which is the sole supplier of indelible ink for Indian elections since decades, has manufactured these pens. It was widely said that these pens would be used during the recent elections to five States, including Uttar Pradesh, but nothing happened and the ink supplied by the company was eventually used.
On the ‘instructions’ from the Election Commission, the Mysuru facility has developed the prototypes of these pens with technical support from the National Physical Laboratory, the National Research Development Corporation, and the National Chemical Laboratory. Their full-scale production awaited nod from the commission and the company claimed the benefits of marker pens has been multifold.
Though the company authorities neither confirmed nor denied about the supply of marker pens for the presidential election, company sources told The Hindu that a formal announcement was expected in a day or two. The company may be ready with the supply.
Sources said if ink was replaced by marker pens, 50% cost will be saved as each pen can apply mark on 1,000 voters.
Furthermore, pens are convenient to carry and apply than the ‘grubby’ ink.
MPVL is reckoned to be one of its kind among the PSUs in the country to manufacture indelible ink. Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the erstwhile maharaja of Mysuru, established the company in 1937.
MPVL recently registered with UNDP and supplies ink for elections in foreign countries.
