Poland's local polls test EU support

People in more than 2,000 towns and villages across Poland are voting in local government elections.

It is their first opportunity to elect local mayors directly.

The election is widely seen as a test for ex-communists who won power in general elections last year.

Opinion polls suggest a lead for the centre-left ruling coalition, but they indicate the turnout may be low.

The election will also gauge support for parties backing or opposing Poland's membership in the EU ahead of a referendum planned for next year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service