The Election Commission - which is tasked with the impartial management of free and fair elections - will announce the dates for nomination and polling tomorrow, said its chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.

He said an announcement would be made after a special meeting due to commence at 10am at its headquarters in Putrajaya.

"Definitely, I will announce the nomination and polling dates tomorrow," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Asked if the commission had received the notification on the dissolution of parliament and the respective state assemblies, he said only the PAS-controlled Kelantan and Terengganu have yet to do so.

Nevertheless, Abdul Rashid said he expects to receive the notices by today.

The EC chairperson also stressed that the commission only takes into account the interest of the country in fixing the dates for the election.

Malaysiakini has earlier quoted government sources that the nomination day has been fixed for March 13 and polling day on March 21.

This would mean that the campaign period will last for only eight days, making it the shortest in Malaysian history.

Election campaign officially kicks off on nomination day and ends at midnight on the eve of polling day.

Enforcement team

Asked on the election campaign enforcement team, he said its members were prepared to ensure the smooth running of the election.

He added that the names of most of the team members had been gazetted.

The EC has appointed 17,200 officers and staff including members of the enforcement team nationwide to ensure that political parties abide by the election rules and regulations.

The enforcement team, a new measure introduced by the EC to curb electoral abuses, is made up of representatives from the commission, the police, political parties and local councils.

Parliament dissolved today

Parliament was officially dissolved today to pave way for the 11th general election which must be held within 60 days.

All the state legislatures except Sarawak have also officially been dissolved to pave way for simultaneous state elections.

The Sarawak state election was held in 2001 and the term of the state government will only expire in 2006.

Yesterday, Abdul Rashid had said that the commission would announce the dates for polling and nomination in four days.