Special pens to be used to mark votes in presidential election
India Today
Presidential polls will be held on July 18 and the result will be declared on July 21. Special pens will be used to mark votes in the polls.
The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday said that it will issue special pens for marking votes during the presidential polls, slated to be held on July 18. The pen will be provided by the presiding officer to the electors at the place of polling.
Addressing the media, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that votes marked using any other pen would be deemed null and void. Besides, no other means of voting will be permitted other than by secret ballot.
“For marking the vote, the Commission will supply particular pens. The pen will be given to the electors in the polling station by the designated official when the ballot paper is handed over,” the commission said in a statement.
"It is the resolve of the EC that there should be no malpractice of any kind in this election for the highest office in the country and if anything is found, it is a ground for election petition in the Supreme Court and could lead to cancellation," CEC Kumar said, adding that the entire process of voting would be videographed.
The electors are expected to scrupulously maintain secrecy of the vote. The preference of candidates needs to be marked in figures only.
The voting to elect India's next President will take place on July 18 and counting of votes on July 21.
