Comelec testing higher nitrate solution for indelible ink

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal reported yesterday that the poll body is testing a higher nitrate solution for the indelible ink to make it stick and mark the nail of the voter’s index finger for several days to prevent flying voters from undermining the coming May 10 elections.

Larrazabal said the Comelec plans to put more nitrate solution due to complaints in the past elections that the indelible ink could be easily removed and allow erring voters to vote several times.

“We have already tested seven-percent nitrate solution, which is already higher than the rate we used in the past elections, but we want more so it would not be removed for a longer time,” Larrazabal disclosed.

James Jimenez, Comelec spokesman, explained that indelible ink contains blue dye to stain the nail and mixed with a nitrate solution to “burn” the index finger of voters and make it more difficult to remove the ink.

“So we want a stronger concentrate of nitrate solution so the fingers would burn more and make it more difficult to remove, but we have to test the amount of solution possible because we need to ensure that it would not be painful and tolerable for the voters,” Jimenez pointed out.

Jimenez said the Comelec is still undertaking tests to determine the appropriate amount of nitrate solution to be mixed with the indelible ink.

He said the Comelec is yet to conduct the necessary bidding for the purchase of the indelible ink.

Larrazabal reported that the Comelec is set to ship out today the first computerized election machine to be used in the Kalayaan Islands in the disputed Spratlys Island Group off Palawan for the coming polls.

“We are already undertaking the necessary preparations for the transport of the PCOS (precinct count optical scan) machines to Kalayaan Island. A protocol has to be observed before the turnover of the machine to the forwarder,” Larrazabal noted.

Larrazabal said they choose to release the first PCOS machine to Kalayaan Island because of the distance.

The Comelec said there are less than 100 voters in Kalayaan Island.