Italy Votes : High Turnout Expected

Polling stations opened at 8am local time (0600 GMT), with voting to continue until 10pm.
 
Voting resumes at 7am on Monday until 3pm.

The poll is being portrayed as a race between Silvio Berlusconi, the conservative former prime minister, and Walter Veltroni, the centre-left former mayor of Rome.
 
The economy, slowing towards stagnation, is the main challenge for the next prime minister.

But his ability to carry out change the system may depend on a complex election law that will make it hard to win a clear majority in the upper house of parliament.

Berlusconi, who is seeking a third term as prime minister, and Veltroni have both promised modest tax cuts aimed at spurring consumption.

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.