BMC Elections Kick Off with Ink Removal Controversy
Voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections started on Thursday under a cloud of controversy. Social media platforms quickly filled with videos showing people allegedly removing the indelible ink mark from their fingers using acetone. This substance is a common ingredient in nail polish removers and cleaning products due to its strong dissolving properties.
Congress Leader Demonstrates the Issue
Mumbai Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad took to social media to share a concerning video. In her post, she showed a party colleague using acetone to wipe off the voting ink from his finger. Gaikwad expressed serious concerns about the election process.
"BMC wiping off accountability?" Gaikwad wrote on X. "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."
She continued with strong criticism of the election management. "The management of the #BMCElection2026 this time raises several questions about accountability and transparency. The various last minute bribes to voters going unchecked, the missing names of voters, the SEC website crashing making it difficult for voters to find their names, ink that is being easily wiped."
Gaikwad emphasized the importance of protecting democratic faith. "The faith of the people in our democratic process must be protected at all costs but the election commission and the BMC seem to be completely unbothered about it. Shame!"
Journalist Adds to the Evidence
A television journalist further fueled the controversy by posting another video from his studio. He demonstrated how the voting ink could be removed with acetone. The journalist mentioned he recorded the video shortly after returning from Panvel, where he had voted in the civic elections himself.
BMC Issues Firm Denial
Responding to the growing online claims and viral videos, the BMC issued an official statement rejecting all allegations. The civic body termed the media reports as factually incorrect and misleading.
The BMC clarified their established voting procedure. Polling officials carefully apply indelible ink to one finger of the voter's left hand at the polling station. This happens at the exact moment when the voter casts their ballot on the electronic voting machine.
The controversy has sparked widespread discussion about election integrity in Mumbai's crucial municipal polls. Voters and political observers continue to debate the implications of these allegations on the democratic process.
