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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Italians voting to choose new PM | Italians voting to choose new PM |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Italians are going to the polls in the first of two days of elections for a new parliament and prime minister. | Italians are going to the polls in the first of two days of elections 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 Prime Minister 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. |
| 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 in 63 years. |
| Polls opened at 0800 (0600 GMT) and are due to close at 2200 (2000 GMT), before opening on Monday morning at 0700 (0500 GMT). | Polls opened at 0800 (0600 GMT) and are due to close at 2200 (2000 GMT), before opening on Monday morning at 0700 (0500 GMT). |
| Exit polls from the first partial results will be known shortly after the polls close at 1500 (1300 GMT) on Monday afternoon. The counting is to be scrutinised by party observers from both right and left to forestall any accusations of cheating. | Exit polls from the first partial results will be known shortly after the polls close at 1500 (1300 GMT) on Monday afternoon. The counting is to be scrutinised by party observers from both right and left to forestall any accusations of cheating. |
| Camera-phones banned | Camera-phones banned |
| The counting is to be scrutinised by party observers from both sides Palermo heads to the polls again | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Some three million Italians living abroad are also taking part. | Some three million Italians living abroad are also taking part. |
| A large turn-out is forecast. In the last general election in 2006, more than 80% of the 40 million people eligible cast their votes. | A large turn-out is forecast. In the last general election in 2006, more than 80% of the 40 million people eligible cast their votes. |
| New regulations are preventing 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. | New regulations are preventing 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). |
| Voters' views from PalermoIn pictures | |
| 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 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. |
| "Save us, Silvio," one of his supporters shouted. | "Save us, Silvio," one of his supporters shouted. |
| The 71-year-old billionaire, believed to 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 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. | He has served two terms as prime minister, last resigning in May 2006. |
| 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. | 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. | "I hope it goes well," Mr Veltroni told reporters outside. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYI voted this morning and I sincerly hope that whoever wins will have the majority in the house and in the senate. Ann, ItalySend us your comments | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |