India's indelible ink: from anti-fraud tool to pop symbol in 2024 elections

India's 2024 general election, the largest democratic exercise in history with 969 million eligible voters, has turned the purple indelible ink mark on voters' left index fingers into a pop culture phenomenon. The ink, produced since 1937 by Mysore Paints (founded by Prince Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV), is used to prevent multiple voting. For the current election, the company prepared nearly 2.7 million bottles. The mark has become a status symbol on social media, with celebrities posting photos, and has inspired street art and Rangoli designs. The election runs from April 19 to June 1, with results on June 4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is favored for a third term. The ink system, adopted by many Asian and African countries, has been credited with ensuring free elections since independence, though it has also been used for voter intimidation in Peru and Afghanistan.