Mumbai: Elections to 29 native our bodies in Maharashtra are being held on Thursday, however complaints have been lodged in opposition to the State Election Fee (SEC) for utilizing indelible ink-based marker pens as a substitute of indelible ink throughout the voting course of, particularly in Mumbai.
There have been a number of posts and movies on social media about how acetone, nail polish remover and vigorous hand washing can take away the marks.
Opposition events like Shiv Sena UBT, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Congress and Aam Aadmi Occasion have additionally opposed using marker pens.
AAP has additionally formally registered a criticism with the state election fee. Mumbai chief Ruben Mascarenhas demonstrated in a video how the ink is eliminated.
Ink marks made on voters’ fingers utilizing “marker pens” as a substitute of government-manufactured indelible ink can simply be eliminated with a “nail polish remover,” as I exhibit on this video.
Not acceptable. AAP filed a criticism with the SEC.#BMCPolls2026 pic.twitter.com/no5jqazMrw
— Ruben Mascarenhas (@rubenmasc) January 15, 2026
Former Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena-UBT occasion chief Uddhav Thackeray instructed the media that the election commissioner needs to be held accountable. “Election commissioners must be accountable (to the individuals).”
The State Board of Elections later issued an announcement saying it was a mistake to confuse voters by erasing the ink. “If we establish a voter who got here to the sales space by erasing the ink, motion will probably be taken in opposition to him. Even when such a voter seems, he won’t be able to vote once more because the authorities will pay attention to the exerciser,” it added.
The SEC added that using marker pens has been in use since new guidelines and laws have been issued in November 2011.
Uddhav’s cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray additionally drew media consideration to the problem. “As quickly as you come out of the polling sales space, you should use disinfectant to take away this ink. So, I wish to inform the Shiv Sainiks and the Maharashtra Sainiks to be vigilant and catch any uncertain voters and never simply those that include wiped ink,” he mentioned after voting.
Shiv Sena UBT chief Sainath Daji appealed to his alliance staff to stay vigilant and confirmed easy methods to take away the ink on social media.
Marker pens are used at this time to use on fingers after voting and the ink might be simply wiped off… All Shiv Sainik, Maharashtra Sainik and Shiv Shakti staff are reminded that there is no such thing as a one to avail the ink that may be wiped off. Do not let your guard down!@ShivSenaUBT_… pic.twitter.com/uPInrLrUWR
— Sainath Durge (@DurgeSainath) January 15, 2026
Equally, Congress chief spokesperson Sachin Sawant demonstrated easy methods to take away ink in a video that includes himself and his spouse.
Not solely from Mumbai, complaints have been additionally reported from Pune when NCP(SP) chief Rohit Pawar made an announcement about easy methods to erase ink.
It has usually been seen in earlier elections that ink utilized to 1’s finger stays for days after voting, however now ink is rapidly wiped off, and is not using such ink itself the electoral fee’s contribution to combating double voting and voter fraud? That fraudulent vote… pic.twitter.com/2InMftEca9
— Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) January 15, 2026
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mentioned the opposition events have been taking problem with this as a result of they have been “on the dropping aspect”.
“This stuff are determined by the Election Fee. And marker pens have been additionally used earlier. But when there’s a criticism, the Election Fee ought to take word,” Fadnavis instructed the media.
“However I really feel like some individuals are pre-empting what’s going to occur tomorrow and are getting ready in charge it on one thing.”
