Indelible Ink

The Election Commission has decided to allow the health authorities to make use of indelible ink for stamping of home quarantined people.

Use in Home Quarantining Process

The Election Commission has allowed the indelible ink to be used for marking people for home quarantining in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation and the people’s reluctance to abide by the procedure. The stamp is to be standardised by the Health Ministry. However, the EC has instructed the authorities to not use the stamp on any finger on the left hand.

About Indelible Inks

Indelible ink is also known as voter’s ink. It is mainly used during voting period to mark the people who had already cast their votes to prevent multiple voting. It was developed by CSIR in 1960s. It is a purple colored ink that is applied to the index finger of the left hand.

Manufacturing

The indelible ink is manufactured by Mysore Paints and Varnishes Ltd, an entity owned by the Karnataka government. It is also the only supplier of the indelible ink. The ink contains silver nitrate which reacts with the proteins in the skin and forms a strong bond. This leaves the characteristic dark stain on the skin.