Why

[hpoolsown]

Hi new to this forum.

While out the other night we got talking about the up and coming election one of the lads asked why is it when you go to vote they provide you with a pencil? I assume this pencil would be indelible but has anyone ever checked?

I am going to check this time but will also be armed with a pen am I allowed to use pen?

thanks

[craig finton]

I vote by post and use whatever pen/pencil is closest to hand so I guess, as long as your intention is clear, every 'X' counts. I would guess the pencil at polling booths goes back to when pens were relatively expensive and therefore attractive to kleptomaniacs.

The 'X' goes back to a period when a large section of people weren't able to write but could 'make their mark', though it does make you wonder how they could recognise the candidate's names.