The fixing of minimum campaign period for the Lunas by-election highlights the lack of independence and impartiality of the Election Commission, according to an Opposition leader.

In a statement today, DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang demanded that the EC explain its decision to limit the campaign period to only seven days.

"The minimum period should be the exception but it is becoming the norm, as this fits into the Barisan Nasional campaign plans and strategy - which is to have a short period of campaign, not allowing the opposition and the voters ample time to decide.

"The EC might have acted legally but this step is dismissing all notions of justice and fairplay," Lim said.

Nomination day for the Lunas by-election has been fixed for Nov 21 and polling day will be on Nov 29.

Two-thirds at stake

"Barisan Nasional is very worried about the Lunas by-election, especially as it would decide whether BN would have two-thirds majority in the Kedah State Assembly," Lim stated.

He also noted that before the next general election, the electoral constituencies would be redelineated.

If there is going to be an alteration in the number of parliamentary and state seats in Kedah, it would involve a state constitutional amendment needing two-thirds majority approval of the Kedah State Assembly, he added.

Lim said that if the EC's redelineation proposal is 'unfair', BN might lose its two-thirds majority support in the Kedah State Assembly, as had happened in the Penang State Assembly in the previous constituency redelineation exercise.

If the EC is to be held in high esteem as an independent, impartial and professional body, diligently discharging the constitutional mandate to conduct free and fair elections in this country, there should be greater openness, accountability and transparency on the part of the EC in its decision making process, he added.