Municipal Election 2026 : Chaos in Municipal Elections; Ink Removed, Doubts on EVM, Voting Disrupted
In the voting process conducted for 29 municipal corporations in the state including Mumbai, several serious complaints have emerged, and the entire election machinery has come under suspicion. It was expected that these important elections, taking place after a gap of 7 to 8 years, would be transparent and smooth. However, in reality, a large amount of dissatisfaction has been expressed by voters, candidates, as well as ruling and opposition parties.
Allegation of ink being erased from the finger
Complaints have emerged from almost all municipal areas in the state, including Mumbai, that the ink applied on the finger as identification after voting is being erased. This year, the Election Commission used marker pens instead of traditional ink. However, many voters pointed out that this marker is being erased within a short time. This has raised concerns about the increase in double voting and bogus voting.
MNS President Raj Thackeray reacted strongly to this issue and made serious allegations against the Election Commission. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) party chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed anger, stating that the Election Commission is committing the sin of erasing voters' rights. He also questioned whether voting is happening democratically or not.
EVM malfunction, complaints of button not being pressed
Voters in Ward No. 184 of Dharavi, Mumbai, complained that the button for the torch symbol was not being pressed. Allegations were also made that some buttons on symbols were not working in the Chembur and Mankhurd areas. In Ward No. 16 of Dhule city, Shiv Sena candidate Parvati Jogi made a serious allegation of EVM malfunction. "The lotus button is pressed, but other buttons do not work," she said, accusing that democracy is being held hostage.
Confusion due to EVMs not in order
In the remaining 28 municipal corporations except Mumbai, the voting process is conducted in wards A, B, C, D according to the division structure. In such places, it is expected that the EVM machines are also arranged in the same order. However, complaints have emerged that this order was not followed in many places including Pune. Due to this, there is a fear that the votes of many voters may be declared invalid.
Lack of VVPAT, questions on transparency
There is intense dissatisfaction among voters due to the non-use of VVPAT machines, which are used in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, in municipal elections. VVPAT provided assurance that the vote cast went to the correct candidate. However, this time, due to its absence, questions have been raised about the transparency of the election process.
Difficulty in finding polling centers and booths
State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik complained that his polling center was changed. This problem was not limited to ministers but also troubled many ordinary voters. Due to last-minute changes in polling centers or booths, especially in a metropolis like Mumbai, voters faced significant inconvenience.
Election Commission in the Eye of Suspicion
Due to various complaints such as ink being erased from fingers, EVM malfunction, lack of VVPAT, duplicate voters, and inability to find polling stations, serious questions have arisen over the entire election process. Criticism is being leveled at the Election Commission's functioning from all quarters, and it is being expressed that the credibility of democracy itself has been undermined.