Election ink

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Anonymous voter shows stained finger during the Iraqi Election of 2005.

Election ink or electoral stain is a semi-permanent ink or dye that is applied to the forefinger (usually) of voting during elections in order to prevent electoral fraud such as double voting.

1 Application
2 Compositon
3 Colour
4 Efficiency
5 Controversies
6 International use
7 References

[edit] Application

Electoral stain is used as a security feature to prevent double voting in elections. Ink is normally applied to the left hand index finger, especially to the cuticle where it is almost imposible to remove, and normally remains visible for a minimum of 72 hours, in some cases taking two or three weeks to wear off. Ink may be applied in a variety of ways, depending on circumstance and preference. The most common methods are via dipping bottles with sponge inserts, bottles with a brush applicators, spry bottles, and marker pens. With all methods the finger should be left to dry for 15-30 seconds before being cleaned to ensure the mark remains visible for the desired length of time.

[edit] Compositon

Electoral stain typically contains a pigment for instant recognition, and silver nitrate which stains the skin on exposure to ultaviolet light, leaving a mark that is impossible to wash off. Industry standard electoral inks contain 8%, 10% or 14% silver nitrate, depending on the length of time the mark is required to be visible for. Concentrations higher than 14% silver nitrate have been found to have no effect on stain longevity and silver nitrate is an irritant or harmful at 25% solution and above. Although normally water-based, electoral stains occasionally contain a solvent to allow for faster drying, especially when used with dipping bottles.

[edit] Colour

Electoral stain is traditionally violet in colour, before the photosensitive element takes effect to leave a black or brown mark. However for Surinamese legislative election, 2005, orange replaced violet as the colour for marking the voters' fingers as it was found to be more visible and last just as long.

[edit] Efficiency

Marker pens are the most efficient use of ink, with one 5ml pen able to mark 600 people, although dipping bottles are often preferred.

[edit] Controversies

In the Malaysian general election, 2008 the election authorities cancelled the use of Electoral Stain a week before voters went to the polls^[1] saying it would be unconsitutional to prevent people from voting even if they had already had their fingers stained. Additionally they cited reports of ink being smuggled in from neighboring Thailand^[2] in order to mark peoples' fingers before they had a chance to vote, thus denying them their rights.

In the Afghan presidential election, 2004, allegations of electoral fraud arose around the use of indelible ink stains, which many claimed they were easily able to wash off ^[3]. The election had chosen to use the more efficient marker pen option, however, regular marker pens were also sent out to polling stations which led to confusion and some people being marked with less pemanent ink^[4].