Thiruvananthapuram: 'Save the Earth and Vote' is the slogan for this year’s local body elections. Yet, even as the Kerala Suchitwa Mission and the Election Commission of Kerala promote the message from the grassroot level, government-banned disposable cups are being used to hold ink bottles at polling booths.

The banned cups reached polling material distribution centres at the same time the Commission issued a manual to clear doubts of election officials and tightened green protocols. After the issue became controversial, many election officials in the northern districts have decided not to use these cups.

The cups are typically used to prevent the falling of the ink bottle, which is applied to the voter's finger and to protect polling officers’ desks from stains. Environmental activists are questioning whether the banned items in the market are now exempted when the government needs them.

State Election Commissioner A Shahjahan said the matter will be examined in detail, including the type of material used.