Malaysians vote in closely-contested election

Malaysians voted today in what is widely seen as a closely-contested general election since the country's independence from Britain, as the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is facing a tough challenge from opposition after remaining in power for 56 uninterrupted years.
The opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat (People's Pact) led by Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister who was booted out of the BN coalition 15 years ago, has unveiled a 100-day roadmap including waiving all higher education loans, and abolishing highway tolls if voted to power.
A total of 13.2 million are eligible to vote in the multi-ethnic Muslim majority country.

The ruling coalition is dominated by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and led by Prime Minister Najib Razak and also includes Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).
The country's 29 million people includes 60 per cent Malays who are all Muslims, 25 per cent ethnic Chinese who are mostly Christians and Buddhists and eight per cent ethnic Indians who are mostly Hindus.
The last polls had seen a huge swathe of ethnic Indians supporting the opposition alliance.

An independent survey showed the ruling coalition was running neck and neck with the opposition alliance.
The Barisan holds 135 seats in the 222-member Parliament, while Anwar's group has 75 seats.

The opposition has promised sweeping reform including freeing up politics and the economy and ending corruption.
Najib has offered a stable government with all races looked after.
By late this evening it will be known if Malaysians will vote out the only government they have known.
Campaigning has been dotted with many reports of violence, arson and two small explosions. Polling stations will close at 5:00 pm (0900 GMT).
Eighteen international observers from Asia including representatives from ASEAN Secretariat have been invited by the government.
Also, for the first time in the country's history indelible blue ink is being used on voters.

If the opposition wins, it will mark a remarkable comeback for Anwar, who was fired in 1998 and subsequently jailed on corruption and sodomy charges that he vehemently denied. He was released from jail in 2004 and now is the de facto opposition leader.
Anwar's alliance shot into political limelight in the 2008 general elections when it won more than a third of seats in parliament and gained control of several states, taking the Barisan totally by surprise.