Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Election Commission Over Ink Controversy in Maharashtra Polls

In the wake of the Maharashtra municipal elections, Rahul Gandhi has raised serious concerns regarding the Election Commission's decision to use marker pens instead of indelible ink on voters' fingers. He argues that this undermines trust in democracy and could facilitate fraudulent voting. The State Election Commission has announced an investigation into the matter, while opposition leaders have voiced their discontent, claiming that the integrity of the electoral process is at stake. As the vote counting unfolds, the political landscape in Maharashtra remains tense, with accusations flying between parties. This controversy highlights the critical importance of maintaining electoral integrity in democratic processes.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 16, 2026, 15:43 IST

Election Controversy in Maharashtra

Following the use of marker pens instead of traditional indelible ink on voters' fingers during the municipal elections in Maharashtra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his concerns on Friday. He stated that the Election Commission's actions represent a significant breach of trust in the democratic process.

Gandhi labeled the act of 'vote theft' as an anti-national offense, sharing his thoughts on social media in response to the Election Commission's handling of the situation, which has drawn criticism from various opposition parties.

In a statement, the State Election Commission announced its intention to investigate the quality of the ink used in the marker pens during the elections. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare noted that the inquiry would also look into whether the ink was applied correctly during voting or if it was done inappropriately.

Waghmare confirmed that, due to the controversy, the commission would revert to using indelible ink for the upcoming zilla parishad elections instead of marker pens.

As polling took place across 29 cities in Maharashtra, opposition leaders raised alarms about the potential for fraudulent voting, claiming that the markings made by the marker pens could easily be erased.

The Bharatiya Janata Party responded to Gandhi's remarks, suggesting that he was merely making excuses for the Congress party's poor performance in the elections.

As the vote counting progressed, the Congress and its allies were reported to be trailing in major municipal elections across the state.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioned whether Gandhi was conceding defeat prematurely, criticizing him for his tendency to discredit and misinform.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray also voiced concerns about the use of marker pens, stating that the ink could disappear with hand sanitizers, raising further doubts about the integrity of the voting process.

Thackeray accused the administration of favoring the ruling party, asserting that such actions undermine democracy and governance.

Uddhav Thackeray, during a press conference, alleged collusion between the Election Commission and the ruling coalition, calling the situation a 'murder of democracy.'

Mumbai's Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani stated that an investigation would be conducted regarding the complaints about marker pens, noting that while the ink on nails might be removable, the ink on skin typically remains intact.

In its initial response to the allegations, the State Election Commission emphasized that any attempts to erase the ink would not allow a voter to cast their vote again, assuring that measures are in place to prevent such malpractices.