The Election Commission (EC) introduced the indelible ink application, expected to be used in the 13th general election, to the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform in parliament today.

After the three-hour session the PSC announced that the ink should be ready for use by February next year after amendments to rule 19 of the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981.

The ink, according to the EC, will stay permanent from at least 48  to 96 hours, dousing concerns of multiple voting.

Another type of ink, that will last for seven days, will be used on early voters, now recognised as postal voters, until changes to the regulations are made in March.

After the meeting, EC officer Mohamed Mokhtar Ahmad demonstrated to the members of the PSC and the media the way the indelible ink will be applied.

pulau ketam village head election 310711 indelible ink 02 On polling day, EC officers stationed at voting stations will verify the voters' identification using the MyKad.

This would be followed by the marking of the voter's left index finger by another officer, before the perforated ballot slip is handed over to the person.

The ink will be painted from the top of the finger to right past the fingernail to ensure that it is irremovable until the voting process is complete.

As for persons without left index fingers, the ink will be applied on other fingers on the left or the right hands, and for those with hands missing, the marking will be applied on their arms or shoulders.

There will be also be slight changes to the positioning of the ballot boxes and seating arrangements of observers and polling agents, to make for better visibility.