15 January,2026 06:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Polling for 29 municipal corporations including high-stake BMC kicked off early on Thursday. Representational Pic/File
The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday clarified that attempting to remove the ink applied on a voter's finger to create confusion or to vote again is a punishable offence.
Polling for 29 municipal corporations including high-stake BMC kicked off early on Thursday.
Voting for the BMC Election 2026 on January 15 began amid unexpected controversy, after videos circulated widely on social media showing voters allegedly removing the so-called "indelible" ink from their fingers.
Some of the videos, viral on social media platforms, show that the ink appeared to be wiped off using substances such as acetone, nail polish remover and hand sanitisers, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the marking process.
Officials have warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found trying to vote a second time after removing the ink.
The SEC said that even if a voter removes the ink from their finger, they cannot vote again. Clear safeguards are already in place to prevent such malpractice. After a voter casts their vote, an official record is maintained, which ensures that the same person cannot vote twice. Simply removing the ink does not change this record, an official statement said.
The Election Commission has also instructed all election officials to remain alert and vigilant at polling stations to prevent any such attempts. These instructions have been reissued to ensure smooth and fair polling.
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The SEC recalled that it had issued official orders on November 19, 2011 and November 28, 2011 regarding the use of marker pens for applying indelible ink on voters' fingers. Since then, marker pens have been used in elections to local self-government bodies.
As per the guidelines, the ink must be applied clearly using a marker pen. It should be rubbed three to four times on the nail and on the skin above the nail to ensure it remains visible. These instructions are printed on the marker pens and have been communicated earlier to election staff.
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In view of recent concerns, the State Election Commission has appealed to voters not to attempt any form of malpractice and to cooperate in maintaining a free and fair election process.
