It can be longer - Conservative former PM John Major called the 1997 general election eight weeks before polling day.

BBC: 'More notice' call for elections

In a nationwide address before the polling began, General Musharraf promised to relinquish some executive responsibilities to a newly appointed prime minister, but to retain key powers, such as the ability to dismiss parliament.

ECONOMIST: After the vote

The general election game plays out the polling battle on a computer controlled board that is part-Monopoly, part-Trivial Pursuit.

BBC: Playing the politics game

In general, there's a lot of polling that shows that the public supports a path to citizenship with certain requirements attached for the 11 million or so illegal immigrants who are here.

NPR: Week In Politics: Immigration & Benghazi

Citizens lined up early in front of polling stations in Kuala Lumpur in this multiethnic country's 13th general elections, a contest that will send 222 lawmakers to parliament and decide who will rule 12 out of its 13 states for the next five years.

WSJ: Malaysians Turn Out in Record Numbers in Tight, Historic Election

Polling has consistently shown voter disapproval of government bailouts of big banks and General Motors.

FORBES: The Way We'll Be

Latest polling evidence suggests that UKIP is polling around 6% in opinion polls - twice what they polled at the last general election.

BBC: Conservative MP Stewart Jackson: I'm at one with UKIP

After queues meant people were unable to vote in some parts of England in the 2010 UK General Election, Mr Mackay announced changes would be made so that those who turn up at the polling station in time would still be able to cast their ballot, even if the polling station had closed.

BBC: Scotland politics