Penang pledge by DAP's 23 parliamentary and state candidates in the Penang Esplanade on Tuesday, 4^th Mac 2008: 

Election Commission (EC) shocking reversal of use of indelible ink benefits BN and sanctions BN’s cheating and abuses on polling day on March 8 to repeat the 2004 General Elections’ 91% parliamentary victory 

EC will have to bear full responsibility for the consequences of the widespread cheating and abuses by the BN’s machinery following their shocking reversal of the use of indelible ink to prevent double-voting on March 8 polling day. Clearly this decision benefits BN and sanctions BN’s cheating and abuses to repeat the 2004 general elections 91% parliamentary victory.

DAP unreservedly condemns the EC’s betrayal of public trust by deciding to abandon the use of indelible ink, which is the central premise of their commitment towards a free, fair and clean elections. Clearly this cancellation show that EC is no longer committed to free, fair and clean elections.

The Election Commission has cancelled the use of indelible ink for this general election, citing public order and security issues. However EC has not explained how the use of indelible ink can threaten public order and security issues. It is ridiculous that the use of indelible ink can put the whole country into chaos and ruination.

By canceling the use of indelible ink at the last minute, the EC has not only wasted the purchase of 47,000 bottles of indelible ink at a cost of RM 2 million. The EC has also destroyed its credibility, integrity and independence by canceling the use at the last minute when it had earlier touted the use of indelible ink as a sign of its commitment towards ensuring free, fair, clean elections.

Malaysians will not accept any cheating by both BN and the EC. If the EC does not reverse this decision then the results of polling day on Saturday March 8 may not be accepted if it is tainted by abuses, cheating and vote rigging that is not prevented by the EC. In that event, EC has to bear full responsibility for any consequences when Malaysians reject a manipulated and rigged election result that does not represent the will of the people. EC Chair Tan Sri Abdul Rashid should resign for this deception and failure to honour his promise.

DAP condemns the EC repudiation of its promise and commitment towards preventing abuses. DAP calls on the international community to join in the protests to ensure that voting is done in a free, clean and impartial manner. DAP will also explore legal avenues to see how we can prevent EC from abandoning the use of indelible ink in favour of the discredited old process that has allowed BN to cheat their way to victory in the past.

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* Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General