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Italians hold second day of polls Italian election draws to a close
(about 5 hours later)
Voting has resumed in Italy on the second day of elections for a new parliament and prime minister. Voting will end shortly in Italy's two-day election for a new parliament and prime minister.
The main contenders for the premiership are centre-right former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the centre-left former mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni. The main contenders for the premiership are centre-right former PM Silvio Berlusconi and the centre-left former mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni.
With the economy a key election issue, both men have promised modest tax cuts and reductions in bureaucracy.With the economy a key election issue, both men have promised modest tax cuts and reductions in bureaucracy.
Official figures suggest that nearly two-thirds of voters have already cast their ballots. Exit polls are expected soon after 1500 (1300 GMT), but official results may not emerge until Tuesday.
Correspondents say the race is likely to be close, and the winner may have to broker a deal with smaller parties.Correspondents say the race is likely to be close, and the winner may have to broker a deal with smaller parties.
The general election is being held three years ahead of schedule following the collapse of a left-of-centre coalition government led by Romano Prodi. The new government will be Italy's 62nd in 63 years. The general election is being held three years ahead of schedule, following the collapse of a left-of-centre coalition government led by Romano Prodi. The new government will be Italy's 62nd since World War II.
Exit polls from the first partial results will be known shortly after the polls close at 1500 (1300 GMT) on Monday. The counting is to be scrutinised by party observers from both right and left to forestall any accusations of cheating. The counting is to be scrutinised by party observers from both right and left, to forestall any accusations of cheating.
Camera-phones bannedCamera-phones banned
Voting got off to a smooth start on Sunday with millions of Italians casting their ballots at polling stations set up in schools and public buildings across the country. By the time polling ended on Sunday, 62.5% of voters had cast their ballots, four percentage points lower than at the same stage in the 2006 election. The counting is to be scrutinised by party observers from both sides class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7345165.stm">Palermo heads to the polls again
The counting is to be scrutinised by party observers from both sides Palermo heads to the polls again
Some three million Italians living abroad are also taking part.Some three million Italians living abroad are also taking part.
By the time polling ended at 2200 (2000 GMT) on Sunday, 62.5% of voters had cast their ballots, four percentage points lower than at the same stage in the 2006 election.
Two years ago, a final total of more than 80% of the 47 million people eligible cast their votes.
New regulations prevented anyone from taking mobile telephones equipped with cameras into the polling booths to record which way they voted, as "vote buying" has been detected at previous elections.
Some 158 different parties are contesting the regional and national polls, including Mr Berlusconi's new conservative People of Freedom (PDL) and Mr Veltroni's recently formed Democratic Party (PD).Some 158 different parties are contesting the regional and national polls, including Mr Berlusconi's new conservative People of Freedom (PDL) and Mr Veltroni's recently formed Democratic Party (PD).
Mr Berlusconi was applauded as he walked past voters in the northern city of Milan to cast his ballot. He paused only to kiss a three-year-old boy. Mr Berlusconi has served two terms as prime minister, last resigning in May 2006.
HAVE YOUR SAYI voted this morning and I sincerely hope that whoever wins will have the majority in the house and in the senate. Ann, ItalySend us your comments
"Save us, Silvio," one of his supporters shouted.
The 71-year-old billionaire, believed to be Italy's richest man, is the head of a business empire that spans media, advertising, insurance, food and construction and includes the successful football club AC Milan.The 71-year-old billionaire, believed to be Italy's richest man, is the head of a business empire that spans media, advertising, insurance, food and construction and includes the successful football club AC Milan.
He has served two terms as prime minister, last resigning in May 2006. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYI voted this morning and I sincerely hope that whoever wins will have the majority in the house and in the senate. Ann, Italy class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4612&edition=2&ttl=20080413150525">Send us your comments
His main opponent was meanwhile forced to wait in a long queue at a polling station in the capital, Rome, on Sunday until officials let him through to vote.
"I hope it goes well," Mr Veltroni told reporters outside.
Mr Veltroni, 52, is a former communist who served for seven years as mayor of Rome, before taking over the leadership of the centre-left coalition led by Mr Prodi, after his government collapsed in January.Mr Veltroni, 52, is a former communist who served for seven years as mayor of Rome, before taking over the leadership of the centre-left coalition led by Mr Prodi, after his government collapsed in January.
New regulations prevented anyone from taking mobile telephones equipped with cameras into the polling booths to record which way they voted, as "vote buying" has been detected at previous elections.
Economic illsEconomic ills
Although Italy faces a massive public debt, both candidates have promised tax cuts and handouts to voters, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.Although Italy faces a massive public debt, both candidates have promised tax cuts and handouts to voters, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome.
Voters' views from PalermoIn picturesVoters' views from PalermoIn pictures
Italy's economy has been slipping in the face of low productivity and a strong euro, and analysts say young people, pensioners and low-income workers are feeling the pressure.Italy's economy has been slipping in the face of low productivity and a strong euro, and analysts say young people, pensioners and low-income workers are feeling the pressure.
One voter in the southern town of Sorrento, Ciro d'Esposito, publicly tore up and ate his ballot paper in an unusual form of personal protest at what he described as his disgust at the failure of politicians to deal with his country's economic ills.One voter in the southern town of Sorrento, Ciro d'Esposito, publicly tore up and ate his ballot paper in an unusual form of personal protest at what he described as his disgust at the failure of politicians to deal with his country's economic ills.
"What future are we preparing for our children? Who should I have voted for? Something has to change, we're heading towards ruin," the 41-year-old businessman told the Ansa news agency."What future are we preparing for our children? Who should I have voted for? Something has to change, we're heading towards ruin," the 41-year-old businessman told the Ansa news agency.
Mr d'Esposito was briefly detained by police, as it is an offence to destroy ballot papers.Mr d'Esposito was briefly detained by police, as it is an offence to destroy ballot papers.
Correspondents say that whichever candidate is declared the winner, both know a period of painful political and economic reforms is essential and unavoidable.Correspondents say that whichever candidate is declared the winner, both know a period of painful political and economic reforms is essential and unavoidable.