Mysuru: Mysuru-based Public Sector Unit Mysore Paints & Varnish Ltd (MyLAC) is likely to supply marker pens for the electors to mark their votes in the upcoming Presidential election on July 17. Sources told Star of Mysore this morning that MyLAC has been asked by the Election Commission to supply the pens specially designed for the purpose. However, MyLAC authorities are tight-lipped about the number of pens to be supplied to the election.

“As it is a Presidential election, it is confidential and we are not supposed to reveal information on the quantity of the marker pens to be used. Even the Election Commission has asked us to maintain strict confidentiality,”  sources said.

Following the ink controversy in the Rajya Sabha polls in Haryana last year, the Election Commission has decided to use marker pens for the electors to mark their votes.

“The marker pen will be given to the electors in the polling station by the designated official when the ballot paper is handed over. Electors have to mark the ballot only with this particular pen and not with any other pen. Voting by using any other pen may lead to invalidation of the vote,” Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said.