Polls opened Tuesday morning for voters in Israel's parliamentary elections, the second time this year that Israelis are going to vote, after elections in April.
Israel's Central Election Commission said more than 6.3 million voters would vote in 10,915 ballot boxes.
Thirty-two party lists are competing in the election, in which Israelis will choose the 22nd Knesset to form their 35th government, amid signs of equal opportunities between right-wing and far-right leader Benjamin Netanyahu and center-right rival Benny Gantz.
Some 18,000 policemen, security officers and volunteers were deployed following fears that far-right elements could disrupt the election process following claims by far-right leader Benjamin Netanyahu of intentions to steal the election, he said.
Netanyahu, 69, is running despite corruption allegations against him and is betting on his political future as he faces the biggest challenge of his career, while the latest television polls show a sharp race with Gantz.
Preliminary results, based on opinion polls, will be released when voters exit the polling stations, immediately after the funds are closed, with official results to be announced on Wednesday.