Black pinkies in store for voters after poll
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)