Maharashtra Civic Polls 2026: Raj Thackeray questions use of ‘easily removable’ ink, AAP calls elections a ‘farce’

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections on January 15 were rocked by controversy over the use of markers instead of traditional indelible ink, with many voters and opposition leaders warning that the markings could be easily erased, raising fears of double voting and malpractice.

The row has quickly become one of the main talking points on polling day, even as voting continues in 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra. About 3.48 million voters are eligible to vote, with 15,931 candidates in the running.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and other opposition parties have expressed serious concerns, while the administration has denied allegations that the ink could be easily removed.
The ink controversy

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was among the first to raise the issue. After casting his vote in Dadar region, he accused the State Election Commission of bias and claimed that the administration was misused by the government to influence the result, according to a PTI report.

Thackeray questioned the use of Printing Auxiliary Display Unit (PADU), alleged that the canvassing period was extended to allow ruling parties to distribute money, and said the ink mark on voters’ fingers could be wiped off with disinfectant.

“They don’t want opposition parties. The entire administration is run by the government. This is not the sign of a healthy democracy,” he said, urging his party members to remain vigilant against any bad practices.

AAP calls polls a ‘farce’, files complaint

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also joined the criticism. Its Mumbai president Ruben Mascarenhas shared a video on X showing how marker ink could be removed using nail polish remover.

“Ink marks made on voters’ fingers using ‘marker pens’ instead of government-made indelible ink, are easily faded with the simple use of ‘nail polish remover,’ as I demonstrate in this video. Totally unacceptable. Elections are reduced to a farce,” he wrote.

The party has filed a formal complaint with the Maharashtra State Election Commission over the matter.

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Polling commissioner orders investigation

Responding to the controversy, Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare told CNBC-TV18 that the election body would investigate the complaints.

“We use the same ink that the Electoral Commission uses in every election. We have been using this ink for 10 years. The ink should not come off,” Waghmare said, adding that if it did come off, “maybe some people use acetone.”

When told that voters claimed the ink came off even without acetone, disinfectant or water, Waghmare argued that the ink should not come off. He said voters’ names were marked on sheets, which would prevent false votes.

When asked how fake voting would be avoided if someone used a fake identity, Waghmare did not give a direct answer and reiterated that the ink should not come off, adding that the matter would be investigated.

Fadnavis hits back at opposition

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also responded to the allegations, pushing back on what he called unnecessary alarm.

Referring to the marker used on voters’ fingers, he said he too had been marked with it. “Is this erasure? The Election Commission should look into this issue and use something else, they can use oil paint if they want, elections should be impartial. But creating ruckus over everything and raising questions is wrong,” Fadnavis said.

The BMC administration also denied allegations that ink marks on voters’ fingers were erased and that the BMC chief admitted to the matter.

In a statement, the civic body said such media reports were factually incorrect, PTI reported. “The municipal commissioner did not make any statement on erasing the indelible ink after the vote. Therefore, there is no factual basis for the reports circulating in the media,” according to the BMC.

Failed electoral roll portal

NCP national spokesperson Anish Gawande on Thursday slammed the Maharashtra State Election Commission for the failure of its voter roll portal. In a post on X, he said that the official portal, mahasecvoterlist.in, crashed on the morning of the 2026 civic elections.

Gawande noted that voters were forced to search for their names on printed lists at polling stations, a process he compared to voting in “1995.”

“Mumbai voters stuck in polling booths searching for names on dusty printed lists like it’s 1995. Is this digital India? @MaharashtraSEC, fix your website or stop pretending it’s the 21st century!” he wrote about X.

Names missing from electoral rolls

Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik and his family faced major problems in Navi Mumbai when their names did not appear in the electoral rolls. Naik and his family members, who always voted at School No. 94 in Navi Mumbai, had to wait for hours at the polling station. They finally voted at St Mary’s School in the Koparkhairane area.

“My family members and relatives live in the same building in Navi Mumbai, but our names were spread across three different polling centers. If a minister like me can face a situation where his name is not in the electoral list, then one can imagine what could happen to ordinary voters,” Naik said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has reported that her name was not included in the voters’ list at her regular polling station. Speaking to ANI, she said that on reaching her usual polling station, she could not find her name on the list and was directed to another polling booth.

“I was directed to another place where I cast my vote. I appeal to all Mumbaikars to vote in large numbers and check their polling booth details before going to vote. It is very important to vote for a party that has earned our trust over the years,” she added.

BMC polls count votes on January 16

According to civic commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, counting of votes for the BMC elections will begin at 10 am on Friday, January 16, PTI reported.

In the first four hours of polling for the BMC election on Thursday, an average of 17.73 per cent voters cast their ballots. Polling, which began at 7:30 am, is expected to continue till 5:30 pm amid tight security measures in Mumbai.