EC: Officials failed to comply with proper use of indelible ink

The Election Commission (EC) believes the allegation about the indelible ink used during the early voting process yesterday, which can be rubbed off easily was because some of its officials failed to comply with the proper procedure on how to use it.

Its secretary, Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria said the indelible ink can be removed much faster because the bottle was not shaken well before the ink was used on voter’s fingers.

The EC has issued an instruction for all its workers to follow the proper usage of the indelible ink as how it is stated on the box and the bottle of the ink.

“ The EC will continue with the use of the indelible ink on May 5, 2013 accordingly as stated by the law,” he said in a statement released yesterday night.

He added, EC will also be having a demonstration for the media on Thursday to show the proper use of the indelible ink as well as to show how the ink is painted on the fingers of voters.

The statement was a reaction to early voters exposing how the indelible ink can be washed off easily by using water and soap via social media, which went viral.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president, Tian Chua claimed that he received numerous complaints from police officers and a police report was lodged at Taman Koperasi Polis police station, Batu Caves regarding the matter.

PKR vice-president, Nurul Izzah Anwar also lodged a report at Sentul police station after she witnessed how easily the ink came off an army personnel's finger.

Due to that, EC had conducted several test using the indelible ink on its officers who have already had done their postal voting. The ink is suppose to last at least five to seven days on the finger.

Meanwhile, EC stressed that early voters will not be able to cast their votes again on Sunday as their names would not be listed in the voter's registration list.

Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd. Yusof has reffered the issue to the police for further investigation.

The introduction of the indelible ink was part of the new effort taken to ensure a fair election process.

Click the link to read the full statement by EC.