Context:
First phase of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections began
Indelible ink:
- Has been used in Indian elections to prevent a person from casting more than one vote.
- Mentioned in – Representation of the People Act (RPA) of 1951
- Contains – Silver nitrate.
- Silver Nitrate – Colourless compound which becomes visible when exposed to ultraviolet light, including sunlight.
- It can remain resistant to soap, liquids, home-cleansing, detergents, etc for up to 72 hours after application.
- Also contains a solvent like alcohol to allow its faster drying.
- 1st manufactured by – Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).
- Mysore Paints & Varnish Ltd has been licensed to manufacture the inksince 1962
- Process – Before a voter cast his/her vote by pressing a button on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), the indelible ink is applied on her finger.
- Exported to – Countries like Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, Mongolia, Malaysia, Nepal, South Africa and the Maldives.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Right to vote and to be elected in India is a:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) Fundamental Right
(b) Natural Right
(c) Constitutional Right
(d) Legal Right
Answer: (c)
