Italy to hold parliamentary elections on Sunday

By Ecenur Colak

ROME (AA) - Nearly 51 million Italians are expected to vote for a new government in Sunday's general elections.

They include 4.3 million oversees voters who will cast their votes abroad.

For the 630-seat Chamber of Deputies 3,901 candidates are in the race, while for the 315-seat Senate of the Republic 1,958 candidates are competing.

Italy last held a general election in 2013. Since then, the center-left Democratic Party has governed the country under three different prime ministers: Enrico Letta, Matteo Renzi and incumbent Paolo Gentiloni.

While more than 30 parties will be contesting in the polls, the main race is between the Democratic Party, centre-right Forza Italia and populist Five Star Movement.

Voting will begin at 7 a.m. (0600GMT) and continue till 11 p.m (2200GMT).