The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections held on Thursday were hit by a significant controversy following allegations over the use of “indelible” ink to mark the fingers of voters. Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray claimed that the indelible ink used could be easily removed.
However, the State Election Commission (SEC) rejected these claims, saying that the ink is of good quality and difficult to erase. Maharashtra State Election Commissioner DT Waghmare strongly rejected allegations of irregularities related to indelible ink used in the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation elections 2026, saying there were no irregularities in the voting process.
Responding to concerns raised by opposition leaders over the alleged use of erasable ink, he said there was a deliberate attempt to create confusion.
The State Election Commissioner said, “We have received information that some confusion is being created regarding the ink being put on the voters’ fingers. I would like to clarify that the ink being used to mark the voters’ fingers is indelible ink, and it is the same ink that is used by the Election Commission of India in various elections.”
Explaining the difference in its use, Waghmare said that the only difference is the use of ink as a marker. He said, “The only difference that appears here is that it is being used as a marker. But I would also like to point out that this marker form of indelible ink has been in use since 2011.” The election officer said this while rejecting the allegations of manipulation.
He further said that the ink dries quickly and adequate safety measures have been taken during this time. “This ink dries within 12 to 15 seconds of application, and during this time the voter remains in the polling booth, and even if someone tries to erase it, there are other checks and security measures in place,” he said.
The incident comes after a general municipal corporation election in Mumbai became the center of controversy as leaders of the MNS-Shiv Sena alliance started alleging that the ink could be washed with sanitizer. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Thursday alleged electoral malpractices in the ongoing local body elections in 29 municipal corporations of Maharashtra.
Thackeray alleged that after voting, the indelible ink applied on the fingers of voters is being easily removed with nail polish remover and sanitizer, due to which some people are successful in voting multiple times. He said such a situation is evidence of ‘collusion’ between the ruling grand alliance and the State Election Commission (SEC).
“This is perhaps the first election in which so many complaints are coming in that they are coming out as soon as the ink is applied. There is collusion between the Election Commission and the ruling party. Many irregularities are taking place,” Thackeray alleged during a press conference.
Demanding action against the Election Commissioner, he took a dig at the election body, asking whether they had “hired some sanitizer agency” to remove the ink so easily.
He said, “Has the Election Commission appointed any sanitizer agency? I believe action should be taken against the Election Commissioner. What has he done in the last nine years? The Election Commission is a servant, not a king. I urge all of you to come out and vote in large numbers.”
During his press conference, he showed alleged evidence of ink being removed with sanitizer or nail polish remover on his mobile, saying that “this clearly shows that democracy is being murdered here.”
He said, “Why is the Election Commissioner taking salary? BMC elections are being held after nine years. What has he done in these nine years? This is public money. It seems that our employees have to sit in the Election Commissioner’s office every day and ask him what work he has done.”
Earlier, Raj Thackeray had also made similar allegations. He had alleged that a new type of pen was being used to apply indelible ink.
He said, “The ink that was used till now, now a new pen has been introduced and complaints are being received about that pen. The ink gets erased after applying sanitizer. Now you just have to apply the ink; then you come out, erase the ink and go inside again to vote. I want to tell everyone how this system is working. When we started it, our aim was to win the elections in some way or the other,” he said.
Following the allegations, the State Election Commissioner (SEC) immediately clarified that attempting to erase ink on a voter’s finger, thereby creating confusion among voters, amounts to malpractice. If anyone attempts to re-vote by erasing the ink, the SEC will take appropriate legal action.
The SEC has emphasized that even if a person tries to commit malpractice, erasing the ink does not make that person eligible to vote again. Due to this, the ink controversy has become one of the most talked about issues in the BMC elections 2026. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also defended himself in a humorous manner and tried to erase his own ink mark.
After casting his vote, Fadnavis said, “I have also been marked with a marker, can it be erased? The Election Commission should investigate the matter and consider alternative measures; they can even use oil paint if they want. Elections should be fair. But creating ruckus and raising questions on everything is completely wrong.”
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday asserted that “free and fair voting” is being ensured in the state’s local body elections. Rejecting Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s allegation that pens with indelible ink have been replaced with new pens, Shinde said “the same ink is being used for many years” and “fair elections are being ensured”.
“I have spoken to the Election Commission. They told me that this ink has been in use for many years. The Election Commission has taken full precautions to ensure that no fake voting takes place,” Shinde told the media after casting his vote here. Voting took place today for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra as a high-profile election campaign ended in major urban centers including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The stage was set for a decisive political contest.
The voting percentage stood at around 50% till 5 pm, although there were reports of several technical glitches and irregularities, including names missing from voter lists and alleged cash distribution. Counting of votes for BMC and 28 other municipal corporations is scheduled to take place on January 16, 2026.
