The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday warned that voters attempting to erase the ink on their fingers to cast multiple votes will face strict legal action. The move comes amid allegations by political parties that some individuals were wiping off ink to commit electoral malpractice during local body elections.

The SEC clarified that any attempt to vote again after erasing ink is a serious violation, adding that precautionary measures are in place to prevent duplicate voting. Officials emphasized that every voter’s participation is immediately recorded, making it impossible to cast a second vote even if the ink is wiped off.

Marker pens, instead of traditional indelible ink, have been used in Maharashtra elections since 2011. The SEC reiterated instructions that ink must be applied three to four times over the nail and surrounding skin to ensure a clear and lasting mark. These directions are printed on the pens themselves, and election officials have been instructed to remain vigilant.

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The warning follows complaints from Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and Congress, alleging misuse of the marker pen system. MNS chief Raj Thackeray accused the state government of attempting to manipulate election results, claiming that the marker ink could easily be wiped off using sanitizer. He called for reforms to preserve democratic norms during the BMC elections.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to the allegations by defending the integrity of the electoral process. He suggested that the SEC could adopt alternative marking methods, such as oil paint, if doubts persist, and emphasized that marker pens have been successfully used in previous elections.

The SEC’s intervention highlights ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and credibility in Maharashtra’s local elections, reassuring political parties and voters that electoral fraud will be strictly monitored and prosecuted if detected.

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