The Maharashtra civic elections, encompassing polls for 29 municipal corporations including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), took place on January 15, 2026, with vote counting scheduled for January 16. The elections were marred by two significant controversies: allegations of the indelible ink being easily erasable and widespread errors in voter lists. Numerous videos circulated on social media, purportedly showing voters, including politicians and media persons, effortlessly removing the 'indelible' ink marks from their fingers using substances like acetone or sanitiser. This sparked immediate outrage and led to accusations of electoral malpractice. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray was a prominent voice among the opposition, alleging that marker pens were being used instead of the standard indelible ink, thereby enabling potential re-voting and questioning the integrity of the election process. He accused the government of manipulating systems to secure electoral victories. Echoing these concerns, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant also highlighted the alleged use of marker pens that could be removed with nail polish remover. Adding to the electoral chaos, several political figures reported discrepancies in voter lists. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi publicly shared her experience of her name being missing from her usual polling station's list, requiring her to be directed elsewhere to cast her vote. Similarly, BJP leader Ganesh Naik faced initial difficulties voting in Navi Mumbai due to his name being absent from the electoral rolls. In response to the ink controversy, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a statement rejecting reports of the ink being wiped off, labeling them as "factually incorrect." The State Election Commission (SEC) clarified that the use of marker pens for marking voters' fingers in local body elections has been a standard procedure since 2011, based on previous orders. Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani assured that all complaints regarding the ink would be investigated, noting a preliminary observation that ink on the nail might be removable, but ink on the skin remains. These events highlight significant concerns over the transparency and fairness of the ongoing civic polls in Maharashtra.