Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS claim ink is removable using Dettol, sanitiser; alleges entire administration is working for the ruling party
Sainath Durge, Shiv Sena (UBT) party secretary, was first to raise the point. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Several voters on Thursday reported that they were caught off guard when their fingers were inked with a permanent marker after voting, instead of the usual traditional indelible ink used in case of general elections across India. Voters pointed out that there was no awareness about the change in use of ink.
Sunil Warrier, a resident of Andheri, told mid-day, “I was surprised to see that my finger was inked with a marker pen instead of the indelible ink used in all elections. I was not aware of this, as there was no statement in the public domain from the Election Commission or any awareness campaign on any medium. However, the ink is not removable with soap or hand sanitiser.”
However, in some cases, voters claimed that the ink was wiped off immediately. Suchita Patil, a resident of Prabhadevi, said, “I started doing housework immediately after voting, and the ink was wiped off due to dish soap. This is the first time that a marker pen was used. I have never had this experience before.”
Some also claimed that the ink was also removable using acetone, which is commonly found in nail polish removers. Another voter from Prabhadevi, who did not wish to be named, said, “My spouse used a nail polish remover to test if the ink was removable, and it came off immediately.”
Political backlash
Raising the issue, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sainath Durge alleged on social media that the ink was wearing off using Dettol. In a video he posted on social media, Durge held up his finger and showed that the blue ink mark was completely removed.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said, “The administration needs to be responsible and answerable to the people for this.” Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray alleged, “The ink can be removed using sanitiser. The entire administration is working for the ruling party.”
In response to allegations from the opposition, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “My finger has also been inked with a marker pen. Is this getting erased? If there are concerns, the Election Commission may inspect the issue.”
He added, “The opposition constantly raises issues on every small thing and repeatedly questions the integrity of institutions that are integral to our democracy. Questions need to be raised on why they are doing this.”
Authorities speak
Speaking to mid-day, a senior official of the Election Commission said that the ink on the finger of a voter is not the only identification or proof that he has voted. The official said, “It is not possible to wipe the ink off the finger. Every booth carries a marked copy of the electoral roll where names of voters are marked after they are done voting. This is undeniable proof, so no one can go vote again.”
“The order to use marker pens was issued back in 2011 in an effort to simplify the process. It is easier to carry, store, and use these pens instead of bottled ink, which has a high chance of spillage and breakage,” said the official.
In a statement, the State Election Commission said that trying to create confusion among voters by trying to erase the ink applied on the finger is an offence. “If it is found that a person attempts to vote again after erasing the ink on the finger, appropriate legal action will be taken against the person,” it said.
Use of marker pen
In 2011, the State Election Commission, in two separate orders — November 19 and November 28 — issued orders regarding the use of marker pens for inking the fingers of voters. Since then, marker pens have been used to ink the fingers of voters in local body elections. According to this order, the ink should be applied with the marker pen in such a way that it is clearly visible on the finger of the voter. It should be applied on the nail and above the nail three or four times.
‘Apply with more pressure’
Speaking to mid-day on Thursday evening, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, said, “We received few complaints which we enquired about. [Indelible] ink is not used during the municipal elections. Markers were used during the last elections too [2017]. If someone tries to remove the ink prior to it getting dry or using thinner/nail polish remover, etc., it is observed to get faint. We had issued directions to apply it with a little more pressure and to cover more skin part above the nail.”
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