Maharashtra civic polls: Erasing indelible ink won’t allow re-voting, says state election panel; SEC warns voters

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday clarified that any attempt to erase the indelible ink applied on a voter’s finger and creating confusion during polling amounts to an electoral malpractice.The clarification came amid allegations of irregularities in the ongoing local body elections across 29 municipal corporations in the state.Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray alleged malpractice in the civic polls, claiming that the indelible ink applied to voters’ fingers could be easily removed using nail polish remover or sanitiser, allowing some people to vote more than once.

He alleged that this indicated “collusion” between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the State Election Commission.Responding to the allegations, the SEC said in an official statement that erasing ink from a voter’s finger and attempting to vote again falls under the purview of electoral malpractice.“If it is found that a person has erased the ink from their finger and attempted to vote again, appropriate legal action will be taken against them,” the commission said.

The SEC emphasised that removing the indelible ink does not enable a voter to cast a second vote, as detailed records of voting are maintained.“Even if someone attempts to commit malpractice by erasing the ink, the concerned voter cannot vote again. Necessary safeguards are already in place. Once a voter has cast their vote, it is recorded. Therefore, merely erasing the ink does not allow a voter to vote again,” the statement said.The commission added that fresh instructions have been issued to all concerned authorities to remain vigilant.According to the SEC, orders issued on November 19 and November 28, 2011 mandate the use of marker pens for applying indelible ink in local self-government elections. Since then, marker pens have been used to mark voters’ fingers during civic polls.“As per these orders, the ink should be applied with a marker pen so that it is clearly visible on the voter’s finger.

The ink must be rubbed three to four times on the nail and the skin above the nail. These instructions are printed on the marker pens and have been reiterated earlier,” the statement said.The SEC also appealed to voters not to attempt such malpractices.Polling for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 28 other municipal corporations began at 7.30am on Thursday and will continue till 5.30pm. Counting of votes is scheduled for Friday, January 16.(With agency inputs)