March date for snap Malaysia election angers opposition
Malaysia's parliament has been dissolved
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Thursday, 14, Feb 2008 10:26
Malaysia's snap election will take place on March 8th this year, the country's Electoral Commission has announced.
Candidates will have 13 days to campaign after being nominated on February 24th, with the opposition party looking to break down the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition's 90 per cent share of the vote in the 2004 poll.
Malaysian parliaments have a five-year term but, as is usually the case in recent times, prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has dissolved parliament to open the way for general elections after just four years.
Analysts say the country faces an impending economic downturn and ongoing unrest with an Indian minority, factors which may have also pushed Mr Badawi towards the polls prematurely.
The current government has faced criticism regarding inflation, crime and mounting ethnic tensions.
Yesterday Mr Badawi told reporters he hoped to get a "big majority" of at least two-thirds, but opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim expects to break the coalition's control below that mark.
He has attacked the prime minister for holding elections now, calling the move a "dirty trick". Mr Ibrahim cannot stand for parliament until April because of a previous conviction for corruption.