Double Ink, Single Vote: Patna Admin Defends LJP MP
Ink on both hands sparks chaos, officials call it a mistake.
A video showing Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Chaudhary with ink marks on both hands went viral on social media, igniting a political storm in Bihar. Opposition leaders quickly accused her of voting twice, calling it an example of rampant electoral malpractice. However, the Patna District Administration has now clarified that it was merely a polling staff error, not voter fraud, putting to rest the online uproar.
In an official statement posted on X, the district administration explained that the incident took place at Polling Station No. 61, Sant Paul’s Primary School, Buddha Colony, under the 182-Bankipur Assembly Constituency. According to the inquiry, a polling official mistakenly applied ink to Chaudhary’s right hand instead of the left. Once the Presiding Officer noticed the mistake, ink was also applied to her left hand as per election protocol. Officials reaffirmed that Shambhavi Chaudhary’s vote was recorded only once, under Serial No. 275 of the voter list.
The controversy began when RJD National Spokesperson Kanchana Yadav shared the viral video online, alleging that Chaudhary had cast two votes. Yadav claimed the MP’s father, Ashok Chaudhary, was seen “signaling” to her during the process, calling it a “different level of fraud.” Her post quickly gained traction, prompting the Election Commission and Patna administration to issue an immediate clarification to curb misinformation.
Meanwhile, the first phase of Bihar Assembly polls, held on November 6, 2025, saw an impressive 65.08% voter turnout across 121 constituencies in 18 districts. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar noted that voter participation had significantly improved from 57.29% in the 2020 Assembly Elections and 56.28% in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls—marking a positive trend in electoral engagement across the state.
As Bihar’s high-stakes elections unfold, the NDA alliance—comprising the BJP, JD(U), HAMS, and LJP (RV)—aims to secure another term in power. On the other side, the Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD and Congress, hopes for a comeback. Adding a new twist to the political battlefield, the Jan Suraaj Party has entered the fray, contesting over 200 seats independently. With voter enthusiasm on the rise, Bihar’s political landscape is brimming with suspense, and even minor incidents—like the “double ink” confusion—are making major headlines.
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