MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
Team Herald
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has filed a formal complaint regarding the use of disappearing ink in the electoral process. The complaint, addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer, highlights alarming incidents where the ink applied to voters' fingers vanished upon washing, raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process.
The letter, penned by Sunil Kawthankar, Vice President of GPCC, cites multiple reports from various polling booths across the state, indicating instances where the indelible ink failed to leave a lasting mark on voters' fingers. One such incident was reported at polling booth No. 8 of the 11-Panaji Constituency segment.
In response to these grievances, the GPCC has urged the Chief Electoral Officer to promptly intervene and take necessary measures to address the issue, ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process. The letter underscores the urgency of the matter, emphasizing the need for swift action to uphold the democratic principles of free and fair elections.
Concurrently, former Forest & Environment Minister, Alina Saldanha, has come forward with her personal encounter with the vanishing ink predicament. After casting her vote, Saldanha reported that the indelible ink on her finger was easily erased with plain water, raising serious doubts about the efficacy of the ink used in the electoral process.
Following Saldanha's complaint, the Presiding Officer at booth #36 took immediate action, consulting with polling officials and replacing the ink bottle. The incident prompted a temporary halt in polling for approximately 12 minutes until the matter was resolved, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
