The proposal to use indelible ink in the general elections is a retrograde step. It is a method employed mainly in poorer, third world countries. One would imagine Malaysia had gone beyond that stage.
In this age of advanced computerization, databases and scanning systems, it is quite unnecessary to resort to this rather outdated procedure.

Besides, there are legal implications to be considered; some people might object to a foreign substance being painted on their body. Others might be allergic to it.

It would be more productive to think of fingerprint of iris scanning. While some countries are even introducing electronic balloting, using indelible ink to identify those who have voted seems primitive.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission is requested not to pander to the whims and fancies of a few skeptics. Whatever you do, they will never be satisfied.

 

Dato Dr. S. Vijayaratnam,
Vice President,
Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia.