Hold the manicure, M’sian voters told
Sacrifice getting that manicure before going to the ballot box.
The Malaysian Election Commission (EC) has told voters not to get their nails done before polling day, as their fingernail will be stained with the indelible ink.
“It is simply unavoidable. So, I would advise against getting that 200 ringgit (US$65) manicure this election period, as you won’t be able to rub the ink off your nail polish,” said EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.
“Besides, voters should be proud to wear a mark on their finger showing that they have exercised their democratic right to vote.”
He added that the indelible ink would be in two colours, which would be kept a secret until polling day.
Wan Ahmad said that getting their finger stained with the ink was a must for every voter, to ensure no double-voting during GE13.
He said the ink could not be rubbed off using any substance, including nail polish remover, and that it would remain on a finger for up to five days.
The ink used for advance voting, he said, would only fade off after about 10 days.
According to the EC guidebook on the voting process, the ink would be applied starting from the first joint of the left index finger, up to the tip of the fingernail.
The guidebook said individuals like amputees, who were unable to have their left index finger marked with the ink, would be marked on other fingers or other visible parts of their arms.
Wan Ahmad added that the ink had been tested and approved by the Health Ministry as safe to use, and should not cause any allergic reactions.
Having caught the election fever and being excited about her first voting experience, Lim Sue Yin had her nails painted with different political party flags, and left her left index finger “naked” in preparation of it being marked with the indelible ink.
She even had a “trial run” with a marked finger, using black nail polish.
The 26-year-old writer, who goes for a manicure once a month, said it was to show her support for the coming GE13 and also for the country.
“I don’t mind walking around for a few days with a finger painted with the ink. I would be proud to show that I have exercised my right to vote,” she said.
Another first-time voter May Salitah Naru Kiob, 25, said she does not mind getting ink over her manicured nails, as long as they “paint nicely”.
“I support the usage of the indelible ink as it shows that the EC is taking constructive measures to ensure a clean elections,” said the marketing executive, who goes for a manicure twice a month.