SINGAPORE: Singapore too has no exception in facing falsehoods over its voting process for the general election, like on the invisible ink used in self-inking pens.
Its Elections Department (ELD) said it was aware of false information circulating online and on instant messaging platforms that the ballot papers and self-inking pens for the ongoing election had been treated such that marks made on the ballot papers would become invisible after several minutes.
“ELD would like to state categorically that this is not true,” it said in its website.
The department explained that the marks made using the self-inking pens were permanent and “the ink is oil-based, and water and temperature resistant”.
Similar pens have also been used in elections in other countries, including South Korea, it said.
Explaining further, the ELD said the ballot papers used for the general election were no different from the ballot papers used in past elections and were printed under tight security conditions.
“It will not be possible for the ballot papers to be put through any additional treatment under such a tightly controlled environment,” it said.
The introduction of self-inking pens is to allow voters to indicate their choice on the ballot papers clearly and easily.
This arose from feedback in previous elections that some voters, especially more senior voters, had difficulty gripping regular pens to mark their votes.
Furthermore, ELD said it had informed voters that they could bring their own pens to mark the ballot papers. — Bernama
