The company is exploring the development of marker pens as an alternative to glass vials, a move aimed at enhancing convenience and efficiency in the electoral process.
As India gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, all eyes are on Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL), a Mysuru-based company known for its production of indelible ink used to mark voters’ fingers. The company is the sole supplier of electoral ink in the country.
MPVL, a State-owned enterprise, has recently secured a significant order from the Election Commission of India (ECI) for 26.5 lakh vials of indelible ink, marking its largest order to date. This order, valued at approximately Rs. 55 crore, is scheduled to be fulfilled by March 15. Each vial, containing 10 ml of ink, has the capacity to mark the designated finger of over 700 voters.
The ECI placed the order in December 2023, and the ink will be distributed to various states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, and Tamil Nadu. Uttar Pradesh received the largest quantity of indelible ink, while Lakshadweep received the smallest order. Additionally, MPVL has export orders from 60 nations, further highlighting its global reach and significance in the electoral process.
Managing Director of MPVL, K Mohammed Irfan, expressed the company’s commitment to meeting the increasing demand for indelible ink. He noted that with each election, the demand for the product rises, and the company is dedicated to fulfilling the requirements of various states and nations.
About The Company
Established in 1937 as the Mysore Lac Factory, MPVL has evolved over the years to become the primary and exclusive manufacturer of indelible ink. Initially producing lac and paints, the company expanded into varnish production in 1989, prompting a renaming to Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited.