Controversy broke out over ink in BMC Election, Raj Thackeray said – Ink is getting erased with sanitizer, Election Commission replied

In Maharashtra, voting is going on for 29 municipal corporations including Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation i.e. BMC. Meanwhile, allegations of rigging are being made by the opposition. Let us tell you that opposition parties like Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS and AAP alleged that marker pens are being used at some booths, due to which the mark gets easily erased and the chances of re-voting increases. During this time, a big statement of MNS leader Raj Thackeray has also come out.

While talking to the media, MNS leader Raj Thackeray has raised questions on the ink being used in voting. Raj Thackeray blamed the State Election Commissioner and said that the ink which was being used earlier has been replaced with a new pen and many complaints have been received regarding this pen. Raj Thackeray said after voting that the ink gets erased with sanitizer, due to which people come out and wipe it and then go to vote.

State Election Commissioner’s reply on ink controversy

The State Election Commissioner’s response to the ink controversy amid BMC voting has also been revealed. Election Commissioner Dinesh T. Waghmare said, it has come to our notice that some confusion is being created regarding the ink being applied on the fingers of voters (to be applied after casting their vote). I want to say that it is indelible ink being used to mark the fingers of voters. This is the same ink which the Election Commission uses in different elections. The only difference visible here is that it is being used as a marker.

The Election Commissioner further said that I also want to say that this marker ink is being used since 2011. Therefore, those who are doubting or creating confusion about this indelible ink are of no use. This ink dries within 12-15 seconds of application.

He said there are other checks and balances to ensure that candidates’ representatives identify each voter before they are allowed to proceed to vote, and the presiding officer also ensures that no one comes to vote without proper verification or authorization.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: On civic body elections, State Election Commissioner Dinesh T. Waghmare says, “This has come to our notice that there is some confusion being created about the ink (applied after the vote is cast), which is being put on the voters’ fingers. I want to say… pic.twitter.com/YLi5e7Yqmq

— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2026