The State Election Commission had issued orders on 19 November 2011 and 28 November 2011

 The State Election Commission had issued orders on 19 November 2011 and 28 November 2011 regarding the use of marker pens for applying ink on voters’ fingers. Since then, marker pens have been used to apply ink on voters’ fingers during elections to local self-government bodies. As per these orders, ink must be applied clearly on the voter’s finger using a marker pen. The ink should be rubbed three to four times on the nail and on the skin above the nail. These instructions were issued earlier and are also mentioned on the marker pens themselves.

In view of this, the State Election Commission has appealed to voters not to attempt any malpractice by trying to remove the ink.