The use of erasable marker pens in place of indelible election ink during Maharashtra’s municipal corporation polls has triggered a controversy. Several voters took to social media to claim that the mark on their fingers faded or disappeared within a short span of time after voting, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the measure meant to prevent repeat voting.
Amid mounting criticism, the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner confirmed that voters were marked using a marker pen and not indelible ink. The civic administration said the marker kits were supplied by the State Election Commission, which maintained that similar markers have been used in local body elections since 2012 and that there was no violation of election rules.
However, questions persist over the durability of the marking. One voter, Jayshree Khadilkar Pandey, shared a video online stating that after voting in the morning, a marker was applied to the finger of her left hand. She later attempted to remove it using nail polish remover and claimed the mark could be wiped off with some effort.
The issue drew sharp political reactions, with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray strongly criticising the change in practice. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Thackeray said, “Till the last election, indelible ink was used. Now they have switched to markers that can be easily removed. The opposition is not informed about anything. Just yesterday, a machine called PADU was introduced without anyone being told. Even with VVPAT, voters are never fully sure whether the button they pressed actually went to the candidate they chose.”
Warning of the possibility of repeat voting, he added, “One person has already been caught voting twice. The government asks people to come out and vote for Mumbai’s development, but then makes it easy to wipe off the mark and vote again. If this is their idea of development, everyone needs to stay alert.”
Election authorities have sought to reassure voters that the polling process is being conducted in accordance with established rules. Nonetheless, reports of the finger mark being easily removed have made the issue one of the most discussed controversies of polling day.
