National Bulletin exposé! SEC finally acts, launches investigation into marker pen “ink” and open cash distribution controversy!

PUNE/MUMBAI: After National Bulletin highlighted the twin controversies surrounding the civic polls—"marker pens and open cash distribution" at various places in the state, the State Election Commission (SEC) has finally taken cognisance of issues that were long being “ignored.”

The SEC revealed that it has now decided to address the marker pen controversy after this news portal first exposed the matter. Following intense reporting and social media pressure, the commission confirmed that it will investigate the use of marker pens at polling stations that were allegedly using “chemically diluted ink.”

SEC Chief Dinesh Waghmare told National Bulletin exclusively, “Due to multiple complaints, we have now decided to examine the ink used in the marker pens. It is possible that many used chemically diluted pens, something our officials were completely unaware of.”

He added that the commission has already begun investigating the company that supplied the pens, reportedly Pune-based Kores. “We do not yet know if the indelible ink pens we officially approved were actually used at polling stations. We are treating this matter very seriously and will follow it through,” Waghmare said.

With the Zilla Parishad elections approaching, the SEC also confirmed that it will revert to the old indelible ink used in previous elections “to play it safe,” he added.

Another important issue brought to light by this news portal was the open distribution of freebies and cash, a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct. On this, Waghmare said, “This was the responsibility of the Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner. Some places clearly failed to prevent cash distribution. I will personally look into this as well,” he promised.