General election most likely in March

KUALA LUMPUR - As political punters begin the countdown to the 13th general election with the dawn of 2013, a Sin Chew Daily report today said March will be Barisan Nasional's (BN) best "harvest time" during which the election is most likely to be held.

The report said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak will most likely dissolve the Parliament by mid-March to pave the way for the election to be held at the end of the month.

Analysts said chances of the premier waiting for April to call for election or allowing the Parliament to dissolve by itself are low as waiting until the last minute gives people the impression BN is left with no other choice. This will lower their confidence in BN.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof told Sin Chew that according to the Federal Constitution, if Najib does not call for election before April 28, the Parliament will be automatically dissolved on that day and the EC will hold the election within 60 days or before June 28.

A source told the daily that January and February are not suitable for the election to be held – January being too early as BN component parties are not fully prepared with Umno still trying to overcome internal problems and seat allocation yet to be finalised, whereas February will be a busy month with Chinese New Year celebrations and the distribution of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M 2.0) would have just started and the feel-good effect needs some time to sink in.

It is understood if the election is held in March, states held by the Opposition will also have to hold the state polls at the same time, which is what the BN wants.

Analysts believe holding the parliamentary and state elections simultaneously will benefit BN which has a much stronger election machinery compared with Pakatan Rakyat.

-thesundaily