Must you sanitise your hands after dipping your finger in indelible ink during the GE15 general election?!
Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : You Must Sanitise Hands After Dipping Finger In Indelible Ink!
This warning has gone viral on WhatsApp and social media, claiming that there is a new requirement for the 15th General Election (GE15) to sanitise your hands, after dipping your finger in indelible ink.
According to the viral message, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) requires you to use a hand sanitiser after you dip your finger in indelible ink.
A new requirement this election. They’ll be asking you to sanitize ur hands after you’ve dipped ur finger in the ink (a KKM requirement).
Pse remember not to sanitize the ink finger, as the alcohol will dissolve the ink & cause it to smudge even before you vote.
So bring along a tissue & be careful not to allow the ink to stain urself, clothing & most importantly ur ballot paper.
You may ask the Ketua Tempat Mengundi (KTM) for a replacement ballot paper if any strains do occur, it’s their prerogative to give or not.
Truth : No Need To Sanitise Hands After Dipping Finger In Indelible Ink!
This is yet another example of election FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : You Are Not Required To Sanitise Your Hands
While the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) recommends good hand hygiene, either using soap and water, or a hand sanitiser, it did not issue any new requirement for the 15th General Election.
You are NOT required to sanitise your hands before or after dipping your finger in the indelible ink. That is simply fake news.
Fact #2 : Indelible Ink Usually Contains Biocide
Indelible ink used in dipping bottles usually contain a biocidal agent to prevent transfer of pathogens from one voter to another.
Hence, you are not required to sanitise your finger after dipping it in indelible ink.
Fact #3 : SPR Labelled Message As Fake News
Just in case you don’t believe me, the Malaysia Election Commission (SPR) labelled the viral message as fake news on 9 November 2022.
The message that is circulating is fake and don’t trust any information from unreliable sources. Refer to the SPR website spr.gov.my for the actual voting protocol.
BERSIH – The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections also labelled this viral message as “false” and “misinformation”.
Recommended : You Must Surrender Your Phone Before Voting In GE15!
Fact #4 : Indelible Ink Cannot Be Washed Off Using Alcohol
The indelible ink used in Malaysia has an organic pigment to instantly colour the finger, and a small amount of silver nitrate for more permanent staining.
The silver nitrate is the indelible part of the ink, staining dead skin cells (including your fingernail and cuticle) on exposure to ultraviolet light. It can only be removed as your skin cells are replaced, and you grow new nail.
You can clean off the organic pigment in hours, but the silver nitrate stain on the finger will typically stay for 3-4 days, while the stain on the fingernail and cuticle area will last 2-4 weeks.
Fact #5 : You Should Let Indelible Ink Dry Before Voting
Regardless of whether you want to sanitise your hands or not, you should always let the indelible ink dry after dipping your finger in the bottle.
This is a standard procedure when voting – to avoid smudging the ballot paper, which may invalidate it. Fortunately, indelible ink dries quickly, so smudging is usually not a problem.
Please Support My Work!
Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Recommended Reading
- GE15 : You Must Surrender Your Phone Before Voting!
- Why Kelana Jaya LRT Line Shuts Down For 1 Week!
- Bill Wolfson Lianie : Sudden Death NOT From Vaccine!
- Do You Need A Readable MyKad To Vote In Election?!
- GE15 : Must You Print Details + Vote Within 2 Hours?!
Go Back To > Fact Check | Travel | Tech ARP
Support Tech ARP!
Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!