
My voting station is in SRB Tung Hua and all the hype about indelible ink (or rather the delible nature of the ink) has made it the central topic in my mind.

I flew back to Sibu to vote in the GE13 (13th General Elections) yesterday and I’m flying back to KL later. I had changed my address here coz I think the Opposition has a good chance in my constituency. There’s three (3) candidates for the 212 – Sibu seat – DAP, BN and an Independent.

Ling took a video of me this morning letting off a fireworks rocket – I guess that much tells you which party I voted for. ;)
(For those unfamiliar with Malaysian politics, DAP’s logo is a rocket taking off)

I don’t even know Oscar Ling, the DAP candidate for my constituency – I wanted to vote for change, so I voted for the party instead of the candidate.

I went to the voting station and got assigned a number. I was asked which hand I write in (I’m right handed) so I got the indelible ink painted on my left hand. It’s done on the opposite index finger.
I took the slip into the voting booth…

…and promptly put my left index print beside the DAP logo. -_-

Indelible ink has been on my mind all the while and I thought the new rules is to mark for the party you’re voting for using the ink. That doesn’t make sense at all coz:
- Voting is supposed to be anonymous and having your fingerprint there isn’t anonymous
- They wouldn’t have asked you for the *opposite* finger you write with if you’re meant to mark it
- There are writing implements there, just like past elections
I somehow looked past all that and for some robotic reason put my thumbprint (or index print rather) for the DAP candidate.
Mom: Idiot! You’re like a first time voter, being so blur.
Me: I thought that was the new rules instead of putting an X.

It’s okay though, I asked and old people have used their thumbprints or just put a single dot using a pen on the candidate they want to vote for in the past and it’s *confirmed* counted. It’s all good. :)

…and on the subject of the ink, it’s not really that indelible. I’ll say it’s hard to remove, but after a shower and two hand washes, it has faded. I’m sure a dedicated person can totally remove it.

Obligatory GE13 photo: Giving the finger to show where my support lies. ;)
I have blue ink all over the tissues and other stuff I touch when in contact with oil or water e.g. during lunch!
Update: 212 Sibu is won by DAP! The other major urban seat 211 (Lanang) was also taken by DAP with over 8,000 votes! :D
Unfortunately, the smaller rural areas didn’t swing due to lack of education and Internet access. This, I believe, will change in the future.


































