Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
KUALA LUMPUR: The people, especially those in the rural areas, are advised to be wary of and reject any attempt by groups or individuals wanting to teach them how to use indelible ink in the run-up to the upcoming general election.
Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the experimentation in using indelible ink had nothing to do with the Election Commission nor was it allowed by the election law.
“If people allow their thumb or any finger to be tainted with paint or ink which might be the same (as what is) to be used on voters by the Election Commission in the coming polls, they will not be allowed to cast their votes.
“So, do not allow opportunistic individuals to take advantage of the use of indelible ink in the elections to serve their own political interest.”
Rais said this here yesterday following claims that there were attempts by certain quarters to experiment with ink said to be similar to the indelible ink to be used by the Election Commission on voters.
These quarters were said to claim that they wanted to teach villagers and other rural folk to use indelible ink in preparing for the upcoming general election.
For this 13th general election, the Election Commission had decided to use indelible ink by marking the finger of each voter with the ink to avoid the issue of phantom voters or double voting, and if any voter refuses, he or she will not be given a ballot paper to vote. — Bernama