The clarification came amid allegations of irregularities in the ongoing local body elections across 29 municipal corporations. (ANI)

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday clarified that any attempt to erase the indelible ink applied on a voter’s finger and creating confusion during polling amounts to an electoral malpractice.The clarification came amid allegations of irregularities in the ongoing local body elections across 29 municipal corporations in the state.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray alleged malpractice in the civic polls, claiming that the indelible ink applied to voters’ fingers could be easily removed using nail polish remover or sanitiser, allowing some people to vote more than once. He alleged that this indicated “collusion” between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the State Election Commission.

SEC responds

Responding to the allegations, the SEC said in an official statement that erasing ink from a voter’s finger and attempting to vote again falls under the purview of electoral malpractice.“If it is found that a person has erased the ink from their finger and attempted to vote again, appropriate legal action will be taken against them,” the commission said.The SEC emphasised that removing the indelible ink does not enable a voter to cast a second vote, as detailed records of voting are maintained.“Even if someone attempts to commit malpractice by erasing the ink, the concerned voter cannot vote again. Necessary safeguards are already in place. Once a voter has cast their vote, it is recorded. Therefore, merely erasing the ink does not allow a voter to vote again,” the statement said.The commission added that fresh instructions have been issued to all concerned authorities to remain vigilant.According to the SEC, orders issued on November 19 and November 28, 2011 mandate the use of marker pens for applying indelible ink in local self-government elections. Since then, marker pens have been used to mark voters’ fingers during civic polls.“As per these orders, the ink should be applied with a marker pen so that it is clearly visible on the voter’s finger. The ink must be rubbed three to four times on the nail and the skin above the nail. These instructions are printed on the marker pens and have been reiterated earlier,” the statement said.In a later statement, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said an inquiry has been ordered into complaints and clarified that claims about acetone or nail polish being able to remove the indelible ink are false.“The indelible ink used in the markers applied to voters’ fingers has been in use since 2011. The markers are manufactured by the same company and use the same ink composition. The ink takes 10 to 12 seconds to dry after application, and once it dries, it cannot be wiped off. Circulating videos on social media regarding the ink to create confusion among voters is unacceptable and may invite legal action,” Waghmare told reporters.The SEC also appealed to voters not to attempt such malpractices.Social media was flooded with videos of common voters, politicians and mediapersons using Acetone to wipe off the ‘indelible’ ink applied with marker pens on their fingers after voting.”The viral videos of the marker ink being wiped off are being investigated and case will be filed against those trying to spread a fake narrative,” said Waghmare.Polling for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 28 other municipal corporations began at 7.30am on Thursday and will continue till 5.30pm. Counting of votes is scheduled for Friday, January 16.(With agency inputs)