IMPROVEMENTS: Commission to address shortfalls over use of indelible ink during GE13
ALOR STAR: A BETTER indelible ink would be used during the Kuala Besut by-election in Terengganu, said Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.
He said improvements would be made after identifying the ink's weaknesses during the recent 13th General Election.
"The GE13 was the first time we used indelible ink and there were some weaknesses.
"Among them was that the ink was easy to remove, slow to dry and could stain the ballot papers.
"The EC will get a better indelible ink for the Kuala Besut by-election, expected to be held this month, or any future election," Aziz said after attending an appreciation dinner for election workers here on Wednesday.
He said despite criticisms from the opposition, EC would continue to use indelible ink as it was stated in the election regulations.
"The use of indelible ink is stipulated in the election regulations. It is a must for EC to mark voters before they could cast their votes."
When asked if the ink to be used in the Kuala Besut would be the same colour as the one used during the GE13, Aziz declined to comment.
"This is to avoid any group from replicating the ink and using it to mar the by-election."
Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said he would discuss with EC to allow RTM to cover the by-election process, including placing its cameras in the vote-counting room.
"If there is a so-called 'blackout' during the vote-counting process, the people will be able to view it live," he said after opening a media seminar on the 13th General Election in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The Kuala Besut state seat is vacant following the death of its assemblyman Dr A. Rahman Mokhtar on June 26.
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