The assembly's five-year term is only due to expire next September but the activities by political parties lately strongly indicate that the election could be right around corner.

Even Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had indicated that the Barisan Nasional would be seeking a fresh mandate from the people before the term of the present assembly ends.

Wan Alwi said anticipating an early election, the Commission had identified the returning officers and their supporting staff to help run the election.

"Even the nomination centres, tally centres, counting and polling centres have all been identified," he said in an interview.

Wan Alwi said the Commission had also identified the modes of land, river and air, transportation for use in the election.

"In order to conduct the election smoothly, we will require large number of vehicles, including boats and helicopters."

As in the 1999 parliamentary election, Wan Alwi said the coming State election would be held in one day as against two days in the Sept 8-9. 1996 State election.

"I believe we have no problem in holding the election in one day because we have the experience and means," he said, adding that the last parliamentary election was proof that the election could be held in just one day.

"The coming election will see the use of electrol rolls expected to be certified later this month.

"If this is not possible, then we will be using the roll certified on Feb 24, 2000 containing 816,952 registered voters.

A total of 814,347 registered voters were eligible to vote in the 1996 State election.

A total of 62 seats are up for grabs.

In the last election, the State Barisan Nasional won 57 seats, Sarawak DAP three and independents, two.

However, the election of one of the winners from Sarawak DAP, Wong Sing Ai in Kidurong, was declared null and void by the High Court after defeated BN candidate Michael Sim succeeded in his election petition.

When a by-election was held, Sim defeated Wong.