The Election Commission (EC) has cast doubts of a possible snap general election any time this year as there are two more years to go before its due date.

NONE"At the moment, we are not preparing for the general election.

"The Tenang by-election is around the corner and the Sarawak state election is due in July, these two we are prepared for," said EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Yusof.

He shot down speculation that the 13th general election could be in held in March, during the school holidays.

"The Federal Constitution stipulates that a general election must be held at least once every five years.

"The last election was in March 2008 and the next one is due only in April 2013," said Abdul Aziz.

"There has not been any indications of a general election... why must we speculate on it. It's not something we do for fun," stressed Abdul Aziz.

Last week, in a rare get-together with BN parliamentarians, Najib repeatedly dismissed the possibility of holding the next general election any time soon.

NONEAbdul Aziz added that the EC had not been given a budget for a general election and if it was to happen this year, it would take a huge effort.

"We need a lot of money, manpower and months of planning," he said.

He added that 80 percent of the EC's workforce was made up of part-timers who helped out before, during, and after a general election, which added to the complexity of the task.

"As far as the EC is concerned, it is not at all preparing for the general election," he reiterated.