BMC Elections 2026: Row erupts over alleged indelible ink removal, poll body responds
BMC elections were marred by controversy as videos showed voters allegedly wiping off 'indelible' ink, sparking electoral malpractice claims. Opposition leaders like Uddhav and Raj Thackeray alleged collusion, citing easy ink removal. The BMC and SEC dismissed the reports, warning of strict action for wrongful acts.
New Delhi: Controversy gripped the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on Thursday after videos circulated on social media showing voters allegedly using acetone to wipe off the ‘indelible’ ink from their fingers.
Even as the Opposition raised concern over it, the BMC dismissed the claims, saying reports that the ink was being wiped off during polling were wrong.
What the Opposition alleged
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray alleged electoral malpractice in the local body polls. Uddhav said that the indelible ink, which is put on the fingers of electors after voting, is being easily removed with nail polish remover and sanitisers, allowing certain people to seemingly vote more than once. He was quoted as saying by ANI that such a situation is proof of "collusion" between the ruling Mahayuti and the State Election Commission (SEC).
He called for action to be taken against the election commissioner, asking if the poll body had "hired a sanitiser agency" to allow for the ink to be removed so easily.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray also claimed that marker pens are being used by officials to mark fingers after voting in BMC polls. He claimed that the ink mark on the finger can be easily "wiped off with sanitiser".
Raj added: "They (the government) don't want the Opposition parties. The entire administration is being run by the government (to win the polls). This is not the sign of a healthy democracy. There is a limit to misuse of power."
On social video, Mumbai Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad posted a video showing a party colleague allegedly using acetone to remove the ink mark from his finger.
Gaikwad wrote on X: "BMC wiping off accountability? Since morning we have been receiving several reports of how the marker ink being used to show voting has been done, is easily being wiped off. My colleague and his wife here demonstrate how this ink can be easily wiped off with acetone or nail polish remover.”
She added, "The management of the #BMCElection2026 this time raises several questions about accountability and transparency."
How did the poll body respond
Reacting sharpy to the allegations, the State Election Commission said it was "not possible" for a voter to cast the vote again by wiping off the ink. Creating confusion among voters by attempting to wipe off the ink from their finger is a wrongful act".
The poll body also warned that stringent action will be taken if a voter is found voting after wiping off the ink. The commission clarified that the marker pens have been in use since 2011.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also rejected allegations levelled by the Thackerays. The BMC also responded to the circulating videos and charges and dismissed the allegations and labelled the media reports as inaccurate.
The voting for BMC elections got underway at 7:30 on Thursday morning. As many as 10,231 polling stations have been set up across Mumbai, and 64,375 officers and staff have been stationed for duty. The voting will end at 5:30 pm.