Israel: Knesset polls to be closed, turnout at 61%

JERUSALEM

Minutes left for the closure of Israeli polls, some 61.2 percent of Israeli voters cast ballots on Tuesday in the parliamentary election, the electoral commission said.

The voting is 1.1 percent below the 2015 Israeli Parliament (Knesset) election.

Voting is taking place at 10,720 polling stations across the country, while 96 stations at Israeli embassies and consulates abroad are open for voting, according to the country's electoral commission.

More than 40 political parties are vying to win seats at the 120-member Knesset, although only 12 parties are expected to pass the electoral threshold.