'NO NEED TO PANIC,' SAYS DINESH WAGHMARE, STATE ELECTION COMMISIONER, DENIES MARKER PEN LAPSE

State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare reacts to National Bulletin's Report...

PUNE/MUMBAI: Responding to National Bulletin’s report on the use of marker pens instead of indelible ink to mark voters during polling, the State Election Commissioner (SEC) Dinesh Waghmare on Friday issued a video statement, firmly denying allegations of any lapse or threat to the electoral process.

The Commissioner told Nozia Sayyed of this Media House that the allegations related to the marker ink enabling repeat voting were “misleading and baseless.” He said, “I urge voters not to panic or doubt the integrity of the election.”

Clarifying the issue, he also stated that marker pens have been officially approved and used in earlier local body elections as well, and that the system does not rely on ink alone to prevent double voting. “The marker is only a visual identifier. The voter list, polling records and EVM safeguards ensure that a person cannot vote more than once,” he said.

Clarifying concerns over the ink fading, the Commissioner maintained that the marker ink does not disappear under normal conditions and that any removal attempts using chemicals would be treated as a violation. “Voters should not be worried. Adequate checks are in place and polling staff have been instructed to remain vigilant,” he added.

The clarification comes amid widespread outrage on social media after voters posted images and videos showing ink marks fading shortly after voting, raising fears of manipulation and repeat voting.

While the Election Commission has dismissed these concerns, critics argue that the controversy has dented public confidence, especially in a high-stakes civic election.