BEIJING, Jan.23 (Xinhuanet) -- The general vote for a new parliament in Israel is set to close very soon, with the right-wing incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to return to office.

A total of 32 parties are running for the 120 seats in the parliament. And latest polls show that the Likud-Beitenu union led by Netanyahu and the former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman is expected to get around 32 seats.

A right-wing alliance with other right-wing and religious groups is expected to give Netanyahu support to gain a majority 63 seats of the total 120. The far-right "The Jewish Home" party is expected to gain between 13 to 15 seats. Meanwhile, 17 seats are expected to go to the "Labour Party". The voting started on Tuesday at 7 a.m local time with 5.6 million citizens eligible to vote.

Electoral officials report the highest electoral turnout since 1955. Earlier, Prime Minister Netanyahu called on his supporters to vote, amid reports that turnout in traditionally pro-Likud areas had been low.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, said, "What we are really worried about is the multiplicity of parties and the splitting of votes because it is very difficult to lead the state with a multiplicity of votes. You need a central channel. I need that people will come to vote."

(Source: CNTV.cn)