DHAKA: Officials from Japan’s ruling coalition urged lawmakers on Tuesday to prepare for a possible early election, and a government source said prime minister Shinzo Abe was likely to delay a tax hike that could derail a promised economic recovery.

A second government source said one option being considered was for Abe to call a snap poll before the end of the year if he decides to delay a planned but unpopular sales tax increase to 10 percent from next October.

Abe said he had not decided on the timing of an election. ‘As for the timing of dissolving parliament, I haven’t made any decision,’ he told a news conference in Beijing, where he was attending an Asia-Pacific leaders’ summit.

He added that he had never mentioned the possibility of a snap poll.

No election for parliament’s lower house need be held until 2016, but political insiders said Abe might well decide to try to lock in his mandate before his voter support fades, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2242 HRS, NOV 11, 2014