"The fact that the election will be really close almost goes without saying," said political analyst and law lecturer Azmi Sharom. "But what worries me is the uncertainty surrounding the electoral process. It's not one man, one vote."
Gerrymandering - moving constituency boundaries to benefit certain parties - is common and seats are often poorly distributed, amplifying the distortions of the first-past-the-post system and requiring the opposition to win many more votes than Barisan in order to win a single seat.
In 2008, Barisan's share of the popular vote was just 51 percent, yet it won 63 percent of the seats. The country's biggest constituency in terms of number of voters is Kapar, with an electorate of 142,419, while the smallest is the administrative capital of Putrajaya, with just 15,308 voters.
"Phantom voters" - people who don't even exist - have also been uncovered, while a public enquiry in the Borneo state of Sabah is investigating allegations that the ruling coalition gave citizenship to foreigners in exchange for their votes.
Moreover, the regulations surrounding the election do little to even out the playing field. There are no laws ensuring state funding for parties and no limits on spending, except for individuals. Nor are opposition parties assured access to the media, which is controlled either by the state, or companies linked to the ruling coalition.
In response, Pakatan has developed a highly visible online media presence. Its leaders are active tweeters and videos and statements are quickly posted. Barisan, too, has tried to exploit the opportunities offered by social media.
Despite the obstacles, the opposition is optimistic that 2013 will be its year. "We are at the doorstep of power," Anwar said in March.
But after more than five decades on top, Barisan is not going to give up without a fight. It is likely to be a bruising battle.
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