Maharashtra EC Orders Lab Tests After Civic Poll Ink Controversy

• Maharashtra State Election Commission (EC) has ordered laboratory testing of marker pens and indelible ink used in recent civic body elections.
• The decision follows widespread complaints from voters in Mumbai, Pune, and Navi Mumbai that the ink was easily coming off.
• Samples of both used and unused pens and ink will be sent to central and state laboratories for examination.
• Opposition parties raised concerns about election transparency and the credibility of the State Election Commission due to the ink issue.
• The controversy arose amidst post-election negotiations for the Mayor's post in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with BJP emerging as the single largest party.

Why It Matters: Maharashtra EC initiates lab tests on civic poll ink after complaints, raising transparency concerns.