POLLS are expected to be called in March or April next year as Prime Minister Najib Razak seeks to disburse election goodies through Budget 2018.

Analysts quoted by the South China Morning Post said policies targeting rural Malays, civil servants and youths outlined in the budget would come into effect only next year.

They include bonuses for civil servants, a key vote bank for Barisan Nasional, which are due in January.

Najib could also capitalise on positive economic growth, with the economy growing at its fastest pace in more than two years in the second quarter of this year, which fourth-quarter gross domestic product figures will likely reflect.

There is also speculation of an official visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in November, following the Chinese Communist Party’s congress next month.

This could mean more multi-billion-ringgit investments from China, which may help Najib rake in more votes in the crucial election.

There are also other factors that increase the likelihood of an election in March or April, including the northeastern monsoon season at the end of the year, which makes campaigning and polling untenable due to floods.

The year-end SPM and STPM examinations, too, make schools unavailable as polling centres.

Najib is expected to exploit the good vibes in the Chinese community as the Chinese New Year falls in February.

The prime minister might also want to call the election before jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim could secure an early release that is expected in April.

Anwar, who was jailed five years for sodomy, could reinvigorate the opposition with his charisma and oratory skills. – September 24, 2017.