Polls opened in Italy on Sunday in what is seen as one of the most uncertain elections in years. Observers are watching carefully to see whether Italy will succumb to the populist, Eurosceptic and far-right sentiment that has swept through Europe in recent years.
The campaign was marked by the prime-time airing of neo-fascist rhetoric and anti-migrant violence that culminated in the shooting in February of six Africans.
The centre-right coalition capitalised on the anti-migrant sentiment and has led the polls, but analysts have predicted the likeliest outcome will be a hung parliament.
More than 46 million Italians are eligible to vote and exit polls are expected after polls closed at 11pm (2200GMT), projections sometime thereafter and consolidated results on Monday.
