The indelible ink used in Indian elections is a semi-permanent marker applied to voters’ fingers to prevent multiple voting. Manufactured by Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd, the ink contains silver nitrate, which reacts with the skin to form a lasting mark that is difficult to remove quickly. Typically, it remains visible for several days to weeks, and in some cases, up to four months, depending on where it’s applied .

While there have been isolated instances in the past where individuals attempted to remove the ink to vote again, such actions are rare and considered serious violations of election laws. For example, in 2014, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar faced scrutiny from the Election Commission for suggesting that party workers could erase the ink to vote twice during Maharashtra’s multi-phase elections . The Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to him, emphasizing that such statements violated the Model Code of Conduct and election laws.

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