Use indelible ink in General Elections

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Malaysian Election Commission use indelible ink to prevent irregularities such as phantom voters in general elections (GE).

On 16.11.2011, Dr Tan comments on the oral statement by the Attorney-General (AG) that the introduction of indelible ink in GE does not involve constitutional amendment, only amendment to Procedure.

General elections should be truly fair. After 54 years of Merdeka, the Central Government sets up a Parliamentary Select Committee to make recommendations to improve GE, ensuring its fairness.

One way of preventing irregularities such as phantom voters is to use indelible ink. In the 12th GE, the Election Commission did buy indelible ink;it was not used.

As there is no need to amend the Federal Constitution, the Government should amend the Procedure so that indelible ink will be used in the coming GE. Further, recommendations of the Select Committee should reflect the views of the people. The EC should then incorporate and enforce them as much as possible in GE, consistent with the wishes of Malaysians.

Tan Seng Giaw