High Turnout Marks Israeli Election

Israelis have been voting in large numbers in the country's general election, in which incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been tipped as a frontrunner.

Election officials said turnout was 46.4% as of 16:00 (14:00 GMT), the highest level at that time since 1999, BBC informs.

Before the vote, analysts had said high turnout would help centre-left parties.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued numerous calls to Likud supporters to go out and vote, amid reports that turnout in areas that traditionally support  his Likud party has been low.

More than 5.65 million Israelis are eligible to vote.