As voting continues for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2026, controversy erupted on Thursday over claims that the indelible ink used during voting can be removed using acetone or hand sanitiser.

What the State Election Commission said

The State Election Commission (SEC) strongly dismissed concerns that removal of the ink could enable repeat voting and warned that any attempt to erase the ink or vote again is illegal.

In an official statement, the SEC said that every vote is digitally recorded once cast, making it impossible for a voter to vote again—even if the ink mark is removed.

“Attempts to remove the indelible ink applied on voters’ fingers at polling stations and thereby create confusion in the voting process are illegal. The State Election Commission has clarified that if any person is found trying to vote again after removing the ink mark, appropriate legal action will be taken against them,” the SEC said.

The commission clarified that polling staff have been clearly instructed not to allow any voter to cast a second vote, regardless of the condition of the ink mark.

“After a voter casts their vote, a record of it is made. Therefore, even if the ink mark is removed, the voter cannot vote again,” the SEC added, stating that fresh instructions have been reissued to all polling officials to ensure strict compliance.

BMC dismisses ink tampering allegations

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also rejected allegations circulating on social media, calling claims of ink being wiped off during voting incorrect and misleading.

According to BMC officials, the ink applied on voters’ fingers serves as a visual deterrent, while the actual safeguard lies in the official voter record system, which prevents duplication.

The controversy intensified after several videos went viral online, allegedly showing voters removing ink using acetone, nail polish remover, or repeated washing.

Mumbai Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad shared one such video on X, alleging lapses in election management.

“Since morning we have been receiving several reports of how the marker ink being used to show voting has been done, is easily being wiped off. My colleague @sachin_inc and his wife here demonstrate how this ink can be easily wiped off with acetone or nail polish remover,” she wrote.

Gaikwad further alleged issues such as missing voter names, unchecked voter bribery, and technical glitches on the SEC website, claiming these raised serious questions about transparency in the BMC election process.

Earlier, MNS chief Raj Thackeray sharply criticised the state government, alleging that the traditional indelible ink had been replaced with a marker pen that could be erased using hand sanitiser.

However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the accusations, calling them unnecessary attempts to create panic.

He added that elections must remain impartial, but opposition parties should avoid undermining public trust in democratic institutions without evidence.