Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised the Election Commission over the alleged use of erasable ink in Maharashtra civic polls. He said the issue has damaged people’s trust in democracy. He also called vote theft an anti-national act.
Sharing a media report on X, the Leader of Opposition accused the poll body of misleading citizens. He wrote, “Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act.”
Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 16, 2026
Vote Chori is an anti-national act. pic.twitter.com/3FZKkDPwDg
Maharashtra SEC Orders Inquiry
The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday ordered a probe into complaints about the ink used during the civic polls. The move came after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray raised concerns.
Thackeray accused State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare of “openly siding” with the ruling BJP-led alliance. He demanded Waghmare’s suspension over the issue.
Election Commissioner Rejects Claims
Dinesh Waghmare announced an inquiry into the complaints. He denied claims that acetone or nail polish can remove the ink. He said such reports are false.
Waghmare also warned of legal action. He said authorities will act against anyone who tries to remove the ink or spread confusion among voters.
SEC Clarifies Position On Ink
Before ordering the probe, the Maharashtra SEC issued a clarification. The poll body said removing indelible ink is illegal. It said such acts aim to create confusion during voting.
The SEC said, "Attempts to remove the indelible ink applied on voters’ fingers at polling stations and thereby create confusion in the voting process are illegal. The State Election Commission has clarified that if any person is found trying to vote again after removing the ink mark, appropriate legal action will be taken against them."
The commission added that removing ink does not allow repeat voting.
It said, "If anyone attempts to illegally remove the ink applied at the polling station, the concerned voter will not be allowed to vote again. Instructions in this regard have already been given to the polling staff. After a voter casts their vote, a record of it is made. Therefore, even if the ink mark is removed, the voter cannot vote again. To increase awareness, these instructions have once again been issued to all concerned."
Political Tension Grows
The controversy has sparked a political storm in Maharashtra. Opposition leaders have questioned the fairness of the election process. The SEC, however, insists that safeguards are in place and voters cannot cast ballots more than once.