Election commission expresses concern over the usage of indelible ink

The Election Commission recently asked the government to keep in mind the election laws on use of indelible ink while applying the method to check the suspicious depositors.

In a letter to the Finance Ministry, the Election Commission said five states are going for bypoll on November 19 and the government should ensure that use of indelible ink on people depositing money in banks does not create problems for the voters in these states. Earlier in the day, the government announced that it would apply indelible ink on people depositing and exchanging money at bank branches following the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

Also read : How the ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes will affect the common man

Sources told PTI that the rules relating to indelible ink have been referred to the Finance Ministry to help it devise a strategy which keeps the interest of voters in mind.

Also read : Ex-RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had his ‘reservations’ on the currency ban

As per the electoral law, indelible ink is applied on the left index finger of the voter to prevent impersonification. If the voter does not have an index finger it is applied on the other finger.

Also read : 10 things you should know about the new 2,000-rupee note

In case the voter does not have a left arm the same principle is applied on the right hand. If a voter does not have both the arms, then the indelible ink is applied on the toes.