America awaits exit poll results

The first polling stations in the American presidential election are due to close about now, with all the indications that a final outcome will not be known quickly. Turnout has been heavier than had been expected. Early exit polls suggest Republican George W Bush has won the states of Indiana and Kentucky. The governor of Texas thus claimed the 12 electoral votes from Indiana and eight from Kentucky. He needs a total of 270 for victory over Al Gore in the 538-member Electoral College.

Exit polls from some of the crucial states in the east suggest the Democratic candidate, Al Gore, is performing well. He seems to be in front in the so-called "battleground" states of Florida and Michigan, although the contest in a third important state, Pennsylvania, is said to be a dead heat. These exit polls are, however, very preliminary and by no means paint a complete picture.

Both Mr Gore and his Republican rival, George W Bush, have said they are confident of final victory. There had been speculation that while Mr Bush may win the popular vote, he could still lose the election because of the Electoral College system, which takes into account the results in individual states. Although Mr Bush has led in most national polls for several days, the latest surveys suggest that his lead has narrowed with one survey indicating that Mr Gore is slightly ahead. Commentators continue to say that the final result is too close to call.

American voters began casting their votes shortly after 5.00am Irish time where voters in the small hamlets of Dixville Notch and Hart in New Hampshire stated their preference. Bush gained 38 votes there, while Gore trailed with 18. Polls in Connecticut, Kentucky and New York opened at 11.00am Irish time and most other eastern states opened an hour earlier. However, despite Bush's apparent lead in the polls, there is a possibility that a candidate may win the election without winning the popular vote but by securing a majority of Electoral College votes. If this should happen it would be the first time in 112 years.

President Clinton and his wife Hillary were among the first to cast their votes at the polls in Chappaqua, New York. They were accompanied by their daughter Chelsea. Al Gore returned today to his home state of Tennessee to cast his ballot and await the presidential race returns. Mr Gore sprinted across the tarmac soon after his arrival at Nashville airport and greeted several hundred supporters before boarding a helicopter to go to his summertime boyhood home of Carthage, where he will vote. "We're all on pins and needles," said one campaign aide.

Running neck-and-neck with George W Bush, the vice president tried to make good use of every last minute before the polls opened for what may prove to be the closest US presidential election in 40 years. Near the end of 30 hours of non-stop campaigning, the vice president held a middle-of-the-night chat with nurses in Tampa, dropped by a doughnut shop and exhorted Democratic Party volunteers to leave no stone unturned to get out the vote.

An upbeat George W Bush said he felt "something in the air" as he came back home to Texas to await the verdict of the voters. The nearly 17-month campaign trail for the 54-year-old son of former President George Bush ended late yesterday back where it began, in the state capital of Austin, where he presides as governor. After a long day of campaigning in Tennessee, Wisconsin, Iowa and Arkansas, Bush gave an emotional and nostalgic thank you to his staff, their families and friends upon his arrival at the Austin airport.