Tel Aviv  - Voting in the primaries of Israel's ruling Kadima party was extended by 30 minutes Wednesday evening, after long queues were reported after work hours at a number of polling stations, Israel's Channel 10 news reported.

Polling stations are now scheduled to close at 10:30 pm (1930 GMT), and the results of exit polls commissioned by Israel's main television channels are due in shortly afterwards.

By 8 pm, voter turnout had reached 39.5 per cent, up from under 28 per cent just two hours earlier. The headquarters of front-runner Tzipi Livni were said to be concerned by the low turnout during the day, which could play into the hands of her main rival, Shaul Mofaz.

Livni has had a solid, two-digit lead in opinion polls, but Mofaz has said he will surprise because his campaign is better organized and able to convince supporters to go out and vote. (dpa)