Ink Tampering After Voting a Punishable Offence; Re-Voting Not Possible: State Election Commission
Mumbai, 15th January 2026: The State Election Commission has clarified that attempting to remove the indelible ink applied on a voter’s finger after casting a vote is a punishable offence and does not allow a voter to cast a vote again under any circumstances.
In an official clarification issued on Thursday, the Commission stated that any attempt to erase the ink to mislead election authorities or create confusion among voters amounts to misconduct. If a person is found trying to vote again after removing the ink, strict legal action will be initiated against the individual.
The Commission further explained that safeguards are already in place to prevent repeat voting. Once a voter casts their vote, an official record is maintained, making it impossible for the person to vote again even if the ink is removed. Merely erasing the ink does not change the voting status recorded in the system, the Commission said.
Election authorities have once again instructed all concerned officials to remain alert and vigilant to prevent any such malpractice during polling.
The State Election Commission also reiterated its guidelines on the use of marker pens for applying indelible ink. Orders regarding the use of marker pens were issued on November 19, 2011 and November 28, 2011, and since then, marker pens have been consistently used in local body elections.
As per these instructions, ink must be clearly applied using a marker pen on the voter’s finger, including the nail and the skin above the nail, by rubbing it three to four times to ensure visibility and durability. These instructions are also printed on the marker pens provided at polling stations.
The Commission appealed to voters not to attempt any malpractice such as removing the ink and urged citizens to participate responsibly in the democratic process.
