Mumbai election ink durability questioned, but authorities affirm voting integrity and prevent double voting.

During Mumbai’s 2026 municipal elections, concerns arose over the durability of marker pen ink used to mark voters’ fingers, with opposition leaders alleging it could be easily removed with sanitizer or nail polish remover, potentially enabling double voting. The Maharashtra State Election Commission denied the claims, stating that electronic records prevent duplicate votes and that erasing the mark is a punishable offense. The BMC and state authorities confirmed standard procedures were followed, with ink applied properly, and launched investigations into allegations, while emphasizing the integrity of the voting process.