HYDERABAD, Jan 28: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Doggar has said preparations for the 2007 general election have been started as electoral rolls are being computerized, revised and updated.

He said work on setting up permanent polling stations was also continuing to avoid hassle to people in casting votes.

He was talking to journalists during the inauguration ceremony of the civil courts building here on Saturday.

Justice Doggar said the permanent polling stations would be duly notified.

He said there was no bar on two former prime ministers to contest elections but referred to constitutional amendments which barred a person from contesting the election for the seat of the prime minister if he/she had remained premier twice.

The acting CEC said the general election would be held in the end of 2007 and a schedule for senate elections would be finalized by March. He said he had taken notice on complaints of rigging in bye-elections.