LAHORE, Oct 5: Voters for the presidential election will use ‘copying pencil’ (commonly known as lead pencil) for marking ballot papers to select their favourite candidate.

According to ECP instructions circulated among the Punjab Assembly members during Friday’s session of the house, each voter will make a cross before the name of his favourite candidate on the ballot paper with the help of a copying pencil already placed in the screened-off room meant to serve as a polling booth.

The instructions asked the MPs not to use any other pencil or pen for the purpose.

Though an ECP official said it was an old practice, political observers apprehend that it may provide a source for manipulating the election results.