It's shocking and shameful that the Election Commission controversially cancelled the use of the indelible ink four days before the 12th General Election on March 8 merely based on hearsay evidence, said two Penang-based NGOs today.

The EC has made a mockery of the country's democratic process by denying the people's rights to vote in a free and fair election, Aliran and Malaysian Voters Union said.

indelible ink 020607 However, they also considered the incident a ‘blessing in disguise’ since the EC cannot give any more excuses to exempt the use of the indelible ink in coming polls, be it a by-election or the next general election.

Social movement Aliran treasurer Anil Netto said Malaysians could not believe their ears that EC did not proceed with the use of indelible ink, which was meant to curb electoral frauds, without any substantial evidence, let alone a proven case.

"It confirms the suspicion of Malaysians and fear that the cancellation of indelible ink for the polls were motivated by a hidden agenda," he told Malaysiakini.

Instead of gaining all round approval by introducing the indelible ink in the country's electoral process, he said the EC became a subject of condemnation by taking all Malaysians for a ride.

karpal singh sanction motion 070904 fong poh kuan "The EC has now lost its credibility for conducting a general election, which is an integral part of the democratic process, based on hearsay evidence," Netto said.

The shocking disclosure that the EC cancelled the use of indelible ink in the country's poll on March 8 based on hearsay evidence was made in Parliament on Tuesday in a written parliamentary reply by Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah).

The use of indelible ink was mooted by EC following long running campaigns from election reformists and observers to clamp down on suspected electoral irregularities such as phantom voters, vote rigging and double voting.

After raising the entire nation's hopes to have a free and fair election, however, on March 4, the EC announced its 11th hour decision to call off the use of the indelible ink.

People are not happy

The EC attributed the reasons to police reports alleging that certain quarters had purchased indelible ink from abroad with the intention of creating confusion and suspicion as to the status of voters.

The EC decision was met with loud `boos' from all quarters, ranging from veteran politicians to the grassroots.

Many called on the police and the Attorney General to immediately charge the four suspects, who were allegedly arrested with illegal possession of smuggled indelible ink during the recent general election campaign, as a proof to affirm the ink cancellation.

However, until today the police have yet to produce the suspects publicly in court to obtain even a remand order on them.

syed hamid albar 070406 Many voters were also amazed that the police did not publicise their `catch' to the media when it was a contentious subject of utmost importance to the country's democratic system.

Syed Hamid's two-page parliamentary reply to the Batu Gajah MP revealed that police investigation had found no evidence behind the claim after three investigation papers were opened.

Police have barely found any evidence to show the ink was smuggled in from Thailand since no witness had personally seen the ink.

After thoroughly studying the statements recorded from complainants and witnesses, no individual, syndicate or any particular party was identified to be involved in the ink smuggling.

The complainant and witness' statement were based on hearsay and no individual was identified positively.

Political pressure

Malaysian Voters Union coordinator BK Ong said the Syed Hamid revelation confirmed people's fear that the EC was never independent in conducting the country's election.

penang transportation 191206 ong boon keong organic "It proves that the EC had succumbed to political pressure from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to cancel the use of indelible ink," he said.

He said EC has no justification whatsoever to cancel the use of the ink even if it had solid evidence to justify it.

The election commissions in countries using this ink, Ong said, have never called it off merely based on hearsay evidence or even substantial evidence, police reports or allegations of smuggling, abuse and misuse.

India, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are among countries using indelible ink to mark voters' index finger in their elections.

ECs in these countries have always coped well to overcome the threats of abuse, misuse and smuggling.

"However, Malaysian EC conspicuously withdraw the ink due to political pressure," Ong said.

Anil and Ong concurred that the EC would not have any choice but to finally introduce the ink in the next poll in the country, be it a by-election or the country's 13th General Election.