Amid the ongoing polls for 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra on Thursday (January 15, 2026), suspicion and allegations mounted from the voters over the alleged use of marker pens being applied on voters’ fingers to indicate that they have cast their vote instead of indelible ink.
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As per procedure, polling staff apply indelible ink to one finger of the voter’s left hand at the time of casting the vote on the electronic voting machine at the polling station.
Maharashta Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray questioned the controversy around the indelible ink and said, “The Election Commission hasn’t shown parties the EVM machines. We won’t allow this. The ink on the finger after voting can be removed with a sanitiser. Instead of ink, pens are being used after voting.”
“The entire administration is working for the ruling party. This isn’t a sign of good democracy. This isn’t what we call governance. Everyone should be alert. There’s a limit to misusing power. Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supporters should keep an eye on those re-voting and wiping off the ink,” Mr. Thackeray said.
