Tuesday, March 28 2006 17:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jerusalem: Amid heightened alert, Israelis cast their ballots today (Mar 28, 2006) in a crucial election that could decide the borders of the future Jewish state and dislodge tens of thousands of settlers from the occupied West Bank.

The voter turnout recorded at 10 a.m. local time was the lowest in the country's history as the two leading contenders - acting Premier Ehud Olmert of Kadima Party and Labour Chairman Amir Peretz - continued to appeal to more than five million voters to exercise their right.

Olmert has said he would draw Israel's final borders, through negotiations or unilaterally by 2010 if his Kadima party leads the country after elections. Israelis are expected to okay Olmert's proposal to separate from most of the Palestinians after 39 years of military occupation.

However, just 9.9 per cent of Israel's registered voters had cast their ballots by that time confirming pollsters predictions of a low voter turnout. The corresponding voting rate in 2003 was 10.1 per cent and 11.3 per cent in 1999, which were the lowest in the country's history then.

Recent surveys had predicted a voter turnout of some 66 per cent, around two per cent lower than in the 2003 elections, making it the lowest in Israel's history.

Low turnout will work to the detriment

The prevailing assessment is that a low turnout will work to the detriment of two leading parties, Kadima and Labour.

Polling stations opened at 7 am and the registered voters can vote till 10 pm when the three main local TV channels will come out with exit polls.

Olmert, tipped in opinion polls to form the next government, and his wife Aliza were among the first to cast their ballots near their Jerusalem home.

"Go and vote too," said Olmert wishing "a good day for the citizens of Israel" at the polling station.

Peretz and his wife Ahlama voted around 10 am in his Negev hometown of Sderot.

IsraelI security forces were on high alert, with thousands of police officers and Border Police deployed throughout the country, particularly in Jerusalem and along the seam line boundary with the West Bank.

The border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip have been closed and security has been beefed up on the West Bank.