Back in 2013, indelible ink was used for the first time ever in the 13th General Elections. This was considered a big step because it can help prevent people from voting more than once.
However, according to the Wall Street Journal, the ink was actually not very indelible because Malaysians discovered that it could be washed off with soap or hand sanitiser. This meant that people could still commit voter fraud even with the ink in effect!
Source: Al Jazeera
Now, in a report by the Malay Mail Online, the EC has just introduced a new method to ensure voters do not go to the polls more than once.
The “finger massage” method, according to EC General Election Academy Registrar, Nik Aminudin Shahar Shah, will involve a much closer examination of voters’ fingers to ensure that they are not wearing gloves and have no ink stains. He told the press,
“The clerk on duty will wear gloves to check the fingers of the voters before they are allowed to dip their finger in the indelible ink bottle, and this is the measure we have taken as now there are many artificial finger gloves.”
Source: sixthseal
“At the same time, it is to further improve the procedures in the voting process to prevent any fraud.”
Well, let’s hope that this measure can help prevent voter fraud during GE14! Will you be voting this year?
Also read: M’sians Who Have Not Registered to Vote for GE14 Should Do So Now, Here’s Why
