Bank marks to hit bypolls? Election Commission wary

New Delhi: With Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh slated to hold Assembly bypolls on November 19, the Election Commission of India expressed its concerns on Friday about banks using indelible ink on people who exchange demonetised currency for new notes.

The election watchdog wrote to Union finance ministry saying, “It is informed that byeelections from some parliamentary and Assembly constituencies are currently in progress, poll for which is scheduled to be taken on 19.11.2016. As per the provisions of Rule 49K of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, the left forefinger of electors is required to be marked with indelible ink at the polling stations before the elector is allowed to vote.”

While Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are headed for Assembly polls in early 2017, the Election Commission said, “ln view of the current byeelections and upcoming general elections to Legislative Assemblies of some of the states, it is requested that the above mentioned provisions of rules regarding application of indelible ink at elections... should be duly taken into consideration in the context of the... move to apply indelible ink in connection with demonetisation process.