Elections that could determine scandal-plagued Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s political fate were set Tuesday for May 9, an unusual workday vote with a shorter campaign period than in the last national polls.

Najib, who is seeking a third term in office, is under pressure to improve his National Front coalition’s performance after support eroded in the last two elections.

“I would consider this election the ultimate test of survival for Najib,” said Rashaad Ali, research analyst with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. “If Najib fails to deliver a strong result, voices of dissent within UMNO will surely grow louder, making his position as leader untenable. If he does well in the election, it would be the biggest consolidation of his position.”

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