The Election Commission's (EC) haste in calling for an election after the dissolution of Parliament has incurred the wrath of social reform group Aliran and opposition party DAP.

In separate statements, they questioned the EC's decision to fix nomination day on March 13 and polling day on March 21,after Parliament was dissolved on March 4. The Federal Constitution provides for elections to be held within 60 days of dissolution.

Aliran said the framers of the constitution gave this reasonable time-frame to enable equal opportunity for all to contest the elections.

"The commission is clearly favouring Barisan Nasional (BN). Can the EC honestly state that an effective challenge can be mounted in seven days?" it asked.

It claimed that the short campaign period would be a disadvantage to opposition parties because they would not have sufficient time to make preparations.

Aliran also said the EC chairperson's contention that there is a need to form a government quickly to avoid uncertainties "does not hold water as the everyday administration and law and order" come under a caretaker government.

Since the civil service runs the government machinery all the time, "there is no cause for uncertainty and to form a government that quickly", it added.

'Unjust and unfair'

DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang said the "seven-and-a-half day" campaign is the shortest in the nation's history which stretches back to 1955.

He criticised BN chairperson Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of succumbing to pressure to do "unjust and unfair things", saying this is sad proof that "the country has not reached the stage where there is no (more) room for corruption and abuse of power".

Lim pointed out that an effective system of check and balance could be achieved if "a strong DAP representation" is ensured in Parliament and state legislative assemblies.

While Abdullah has pledged to apply a stringent test to BN candidates, Lim alleged that this alone will not prevent injustices that have plagued the system, and urged that they be made to declare their assets as well.