Attempt to Remove Ink Cannot Vote Again

Mumbai: Attempting to remove the ink applied on a voter’s finger in order to create confusion among voters is a punishable offence. If any individual is found trying to vote again after removing the ink from their finger, appropriate legal action will be taken against them, the State Election Commission has clarified.

Even if a voter attempts any malpractice by removing the ink from their finger, they cannot vote again. Necessary safeguards in this regard have already been put in place. After a voter casts their vote, an official record of the voting is maintained. Therefore, merely removing the ink does not allow a voter to vote again. Instructions to remain vigilant in this regard have once again been issued to all concerned authorities.

The State Election Commission had issued orders on 19 November 2011 and 28 November 2011 regarding the use of marker pens for applying ink on voters’ fingers. Since then, marker pens have been used to apply ink on voters’ fingers during elections to local self-government bodies. As per these orders, ink must be applied clearly on the voter’s finger using a marker pen. The ink should be rubbed three to four times on the nail and on the skin above the nail. These instructions were issued earlier and are also mentioned on the marker pens themselves.

In view of this, the State Election Commission has appealed to voters not to attempt any malpractice by trying to remove the ink.