‘Wipe, re-enter, vote again’: Opposition questions use of marker pens to ink voters in BMC election

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Dadar, Raj Thackeray claimed that the mark on voters’ fingers could be wiped off with a sanitiser, making repeat voting possible. He accused the government and the election administration of turning a blind eye to such practices. “The entire system is working to ensure the victory of those in power. This is not how free and fair elections are conducted,” he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said he too had received reports of ink being washed away. “This is shocking to me,” the former chief minister said.

Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar also alleged that the marker pen used to apply ink on voters’ fingers was sub-standard and was easily wiped off.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLC Anil Parab and Yuva Sena leader Sainath Durge joined the chorus. “There is no need for sanitisers also; the ink can be wiped away without that too,” Parab said. Durge concurred, alleging that the ink on his hand was washed away. “I voted in the morning and reached home. When I washed my hands using Dettol, the ink washed away completely. I think this is a serious issue and raises the possibility of bogus voting. This is the reason why we have been speaking about it,” he said.

Opposition parties said they had received similar complaints from booth-level workers and voters and demanded that the Election Commission look into the matter immediately. “Even a small lapse can damage people’s trust in the voting process,” an Opposition leader said.

SEC sounds warning

The State Election Commission (SEC) issued a statement saying that attempting to create confusion among voters by trying to wipe off the indelible ink applied on the finger is an offence. “If any person is found attempting to vote again after wiping off the ink on their finger, appropriate legal action will be taken,” it added.

The SEC also said that even if someone tried to commit malpractice by removing the ink from their finger, the concerned voter would not be able to vote again as other safeguards were in place. “After a voter casts their vote, an official record of the voting is maintained. Therefore, merely wiping off the ink does not make it possible for a voter to cast a vote again. Instructions to remain vigilant in this matter have once again been issued to all concerned officials,” it added.

The SEC also said that following orders issued on November 19, 2011, and November 28, 2011, marker pens have been used to apply ink on voters’ fingers during local body elections. As per these orders, the ink must be applied clearly using a marker pen, and it should be rubbed three to four times on the nail and the skin above the nail, it clarified.

Opposition looking for excuses: Fadnavis

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the allegations. “The Opposition has pre-empted their defeat and is looking for excuses in advance. It is wrong to level such allegations,” he said after casting his vote in Nagpur.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde referred to the SEC statement. “I spoke to Suresh Kakani (SEC official) about it. He said that the same ink has been used for the past several years. Now, instead of directly from bottle, they are using it from marker. I think the SEC is vigilant to avoid bogus voting,” he added.

BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani, however, said he has taken note of the concerns and instructed officials to use ink that adheres to the skin, and not just the nails, to ensure it cannot be wiped away.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat said it was true that the ink was being wiped away. “I think this is happening for the first time. It is true that the marker ink is being wiped away…Hence, not everywhere, but in some places, there is a possibility of bogus voting. I think poll officials should be vigilant,” he added.