Israel election contest tightens

(L-R) Olmert, Netanyahu and Peretz prepare for battle

Israel's centrist Kadima party remains on course to win Tuesday's general election but with fewer seats than it hoped, last-minute opinion polls say.

Two opinion polls in papers on Monday predicted 34 seats for Kadima, about 19 for Labour and 13 or 14 for Likud.

Earlier polls had indicated Kadima would achieve the 40-plus seats interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he needed for a stable government.

Security is intense amid fears of disruption by Palestinian militants.

Permanent borders

The two opinion polls in the Yedioth Ahronoth and Maariv newspapers on Monday both indicated Kadima would win 34 of the 120 seats.

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Analysts say this could make it difficult for Mr Olmert to establish a stable coalition and push through his policy of creating permanent borders for Israel.

He plans to do this by dismantling some isolated Jewish settlements but also annexing parts of Palestinian territory.

The Palestinians say that will leave them unable to create a viable state.

Kadima was founded by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last year but he has been in a coma since suffering a stroke in January.

Commentators say Labour under Amir Peretz still looks like Mr Olmert's most probable coalition partner.

ELECTION BACKGROUND Polls open 0700-2200 (0500-2000 GMT) 5 million eligible voters 31 parties contesting 120 seats Proportional representation system with country acting as one constituency Voters vote for a party list rather than an individual Israeli election: Your views Q&A: Israeli election Israeli political parties Electoral process

But they say there could still be big changes during the actual vote, with a high number of swing voters and the possibility of a low turnout through voter apathy affecting the outcome.

The right-wing nationalist Israel Beitenu party under Avigdor Lieberman is said to be vying with Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud for third.

Heavy security

Security is high across Israel amid fears Palestinian militants could try to disrupt the polls as in the past.

Israel has deployed about 22,000 police and volunteers to enforce security.

The al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem was closed to visitors on Monday although open to worshippers.

In latest violence, Israeli forces killed an alleged Palestinian militant close to a security fence in Gaza, Palestinian security sources said.