DAP expects the general election to be held in the first quarter of 2004 as this will ensure that the ruling Barisan Nasional comes out with a new 'image card', said its secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock today.

According to a Bernama report, he said the elections will be held "either in March or April next year".

"This is to ensure that they (BN) can seize the opportunity to come out with a new 'image card'," he said.