MALACCA, Thurs - Returning officers and other Election Commission staff found taking sides in the upcoming general election will be replaced without warning, Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Ab. Rashid Ab. Rahman said today.

"There will be no compromise as we don't want any more accusations regarding our impartiality.

" I am giving this warning now if there is proof, we will replace the person on the spot. Those who want to take part in politics should not be working for us, so it is better if they pull out earlier," he said.

Rashid said he did not want to see allegations against the EC in the 1999 general election repeated.

Alluding to several incidents in the last general election which went out of control, he said such a scenario should not be allowed to recur.

" That is why I am giving this reminder now," he said after a briefing for returning officers, their assistants and members of the commission's enforcement team at a hotel here.

Returning officers are normally district officers and presidents of municipal councils, with asisstant district officers being the assistant returning officers.

An estimated 180,000 election workers at all levels will be on duty.

On the Code of Ethics for the election, he said it would be released after the dissolution of Parliament and the State Assemblies.

A guideline for the media to ensure fairness for all parties contesting would also be issued.