Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Maharashtra Civic Polls: Ink Controversy Sparks Debate
During the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation General Elections 2026, there was a big argument about the kind of ink used to mark voters' fingers.
Some people said that marker pens were used instead of the usual indelible ink, which can be easily wiped off.
This made them worried that people might vote more than once.
The person who complained, Mangesh Mahadev Lad, asked for an investigation.
The Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, said the Opposition was just making a fuss to excuse their possible loss.
The State Election Commission said the markers use the same ink and have safety measures to stop cheating.
Meanwhile, there was also an attack on a BJP candidate, and the voter turnout was about 29.22% by 1.30 pm.
A complaint was filed alleging that marker pens were used instead of indelible ink in the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation General Elections 2026.
The complainant, Mangesh Mahadev Lad, claimed that marker pen marks can be erased easily, raising fears of double voting and electoral malpractice.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the allegations, stating that the Opposition was creating unnecessary ruckus to excuse their potential defeat.
The State Election Commission asserted that the markers use the same indelible ink and have precautionary measures to prevent malpractice.
Voting concluded across all 29 municipal corporations with a voter turnout of 29.22% till 1.30 pm, and the counting of votes will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026.
- Who
- Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray, Mangesh Mahadev Lad, Dinesh Waghmare, Bhushan Shingane, Eknath Shinde, Anil Parab, Uddhav Thackeray, Vijay Wadettiwar
- What
- Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation General Elections 2026, allegations of voting irregularities, attack on BJP candidate
- When
- Thursday, January 15, 2026
- Where
- Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur
- Why
- To address concerns about election integrity, voter turnout, and political violence
Opposition
Government
Use of Marker Pens
Opposition
Marker pens used instead of indelible ink can be erased easily, enabling double voting and electoral malpractice.
Government
The markers use the same indelible ink as traditional methods and take 10-12 seconds to dry, preventing tampering.
Election Integrity
Opposition
The use of marker pens is a threat to democratic principles and indicates a deliberate attempt to manipulate election results.
Government
The Opposition is creating unnecessary ruckus and raising questions without valid grounds to excuse their potential defeat.
- Person
- Devendra Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray, Mangesh Mahadev Lad, Dinesh Waghmare, Bhushan Shingane, Eknath Shinde, Anil Parab, Uddhav Thackeray, Vijay Wadettiwar
- Event
- Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation General Elections 2026
- Location
- Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur
- Date
- Thursday, January 15, 2026
- Voter Turnout
- 29.22% till 1.30 pm
- Incident
- Attack on BJP candidate Bhushan Shingane
- Complaint
- Marker pens used instead of indelible ink
- Response
- State Election Commission asserts markers use the same indelible ink and have precautionary measures in place
Sources
‘Is it getting erased?’: Fadnavis asks as he scratches his finger after voting, dismisses Raj Thackeray’s marker pen claims
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Names of thousands of voters missing: Sanjay Raut
Election Commission gaslighting voters: Rahul Gandhi amid row over Maharashtra voting ink
EC gaslighting citizens: Rahul on indelible ink row
No issue with ink, same fake narrative created during LS polls: Shiv Sena
Rahul Gandhi's 'Gaslighting' Charge Gets BJP's 'Khandani Chor' Response as Counting Continues in Maharashtra
‘Khandani chor’: BJP hits out at Rahul Gandhi over ‘vote chori’ remark during Maharashtra polls
"Poll Body Gaslighting Citizens": Rahul Gandhi On 'Indelible' Ink Row, BJP Responds
Maharashtra civic polls: EC gaslighting citizens, says Rahul Gandhi on indelible ink row
Rahul accuses EC of 'gaslighting citizens'; BJP responds
BMC polls indelible ink row: Vishal Dadlani says voting ink faded hours after Mumbai election polling
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CM Devendra Fadnavis Congratulates BJP’s Maharashtra And Mumbai Unit Chiefs As Mahayuti, BJP–Shiv Sena Take Lead In Civic Polls | VIDEO
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