Committee Hopes To Implement Indelible Ink In Next Election

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) for Electoral Reforms hopes to implement the use of indelible ink in the 13th General Election.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the Dewan Rakyat had agreed with the 10 recommendations, including the use of indelible ink, tabled by the committee.

"The ink issue is crucial and it is taking so long to implement because of the regulations involved. And we will call scientists and the Fatwa authority to see if it is useable," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby, here, Thursday.

Ongkili, who is also Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said the PSC would gather feedback from the relevant agencies including the Election Commission (EC) on the use of indelible ink before it would be implemented.

"The committee will hold four public hearings starting next Friday to obtain feedback from all quarters on the matter.

"We will also study and deliberate on the issues raised during the public hearings and in the Dewan Rakyat before the matter can be finalised," he said.

Ongkili said the final report on the use of indelible ink was expected to be fully completed by April 3 next year.

Nine other recommendations tabled, including early voting and overseas voters, will take more time to address as they involve improvement in various agencies.