PUTRAJAYA: To ensure that no party can exploit the use of indelible ink, the colour of the ink to be used on polling day will be known only on the day itself.
In addition, the Election Commission (EC) will also ensure that the vault storing the ink is heavily guarded by security teams operating round-the-clock besides being monitored by closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs).
This assurance was given by EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof who also stated that the colours of indelible ink to be used would be completely different from those available in the market.
"The colours of the ink are unique and distinctive with material used having special specifications, thus making duplication difficult," he told reporters here on Thursday
One particular colour will be used for early voting on April 30 (Tuesday) and another for ordinary voters on polling day on May 5 (Sunday).
However, postal voters are exempted from having to have their fingers marked with the ink when voting. According to the EC, the use of indelible ink was introduced to prevent repeat voting, which some parties claimed had happened, but had never been proven.
It is also in line with the enforcement of the Election Regulations (Conduct of Elections) (Amendment) 2012, which was gazetted, in February last year.
Its use by Muslim voters has also been approved by the National Fatwa Council.
The Health Ministry and the Chemistry Department have also certified that the material used to make the ink are not harmful to people's health.
Voters must allow their left index finger to be marked with indelible ink before they are given the ballot slips. The slips will not be given if they refuse to allow the finger to be marked.
Should the voter not have a left index finger, the marking will be made on another finger on the left hand, and if the voter does not have a left hand, it will be done on a finger on the right hand.
A total of 230,000 bottles of ink will be used in the election, 10,000 bottles for early voters and the rest for ordinary voters.
It is understood, the EC has planned the logistics to deliver the ink to polling centres under heavy police guard. - Bernam
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