Black pinkies in store for voters after poll

JAKARTA (JP): On June 7, Indonesians may have something more in common than just their nationality, language and ideology. More than half the population could have their little fingers stained with ink.

At the same time as the government formally set the date for the much awaited general election, officials revealed that the country's 120 million citizens entitled to vote will have their "pinkies" dipped in permanent ink to ensure there are no repeat voters.

Voters will be required to dip their little fingers into a bowl of India ink said to take at least three days to wash off. Some even claim the stain can last for up to a week.

"That will ensure that voters do not vote more than once," said Ryaas Rasyid, the home ministry's director general for regional autonomy and public administration.

The practice has been tried in Thailand and Cambodia, Ryaas told legislators as they deliberated the bill on elections at the House of Representatives on Thursday.

"I've even consulted with ulemas. They said a stain on the pinkie would pose no problem for Moslems who have to perform their prayers," Ryaas remarked.

Legislators in the House Special Committee assigned to deliberate the three political bills were in broad agreement with the idea.

"We agree. Then there would no longer be fears of people abusing the AB form," legislator Agus Gunandjar Gumiwang of the dominant Golkar faction commented.

AB form refers to the form given to people who wish to vote at places other than their official place of residence -- it is usually handed out to travelers and civil servants.

In the past, there were suggestions that AB forms were used to allow people to vote in more than once place on election day.

Other factions in the House -- the United Development Party (PPP), the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the Armed Forces (ABRI) -- also gave a thumbs-up to the stained pinkie idea.

Ryaas said the purchase of ink would not present an undue burden to the state, adding that the Canadian government had hinted at its willingness to assist. (aan)