04 June 2007

Indelible ink,how true can it be?.....

The usage of indelible ink in elections, has finally reached the Malaysian shore.The Election Commission (SPR) finally decided on it. The usage of indelible ink in elections will in a way help prevent multiple voting, and deters the possibility of ‘pengundi hantu’ waking up from their graves to cast their votes illegally.

However doubts whether it can implemented immediately remains uncertain,based on what the EC chairman said. The Election Chairman, Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said, “In principle, yes, the commission has agreed to the proposal pending further research on two issues.”

The two issues are whether there is a need to amend the relevant legislation such as the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981 and the material (ink) to be used in implementing the proposal. With regard to this ,the EC Chairmann has this to say,
“If the need to amend the law arises, then it will takes time (to implement the proposal). If we can, we will do it in the coming general election, otherwise it will be later.”

However,according to rumours,UMNO,MCA and Gerakan are against such
move.

The time has come for the whole electoral system to be overhauled and be made more transparent, if the Election Commission wants to gain the confidence of the rakyat and be respected as an independent body. However other mitigating issues like the postal votes, excessive
expenditures, equal access to media are not address.


I still have doubts about it and such changes are not going to happen soon.
At least,for now,the pengundi hantus will still have their chance to wakeup from their graves to vote.

cheers.

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