Israelis vote in election billed as the most consequential in the country's history

Update: Turnout in Israel's election is the highest in 50 years, with almost 45 percent of voters having cast ballots by mid-afternoon, according to Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera

Al JazeeraIsrael election turnout highest in 50 years as voting continuesAlmost 45 percent of Israeli voters had cast their ballots by mid-afternoon.

Update: Almost 45 percent of Israeli voters had cast ballots by mid-afternoon, the highest turnout at that point in 50 years, according to Al Jazeera.

Al JazeeraIsrael election turnout highest in 50 years as voting continuesAlmost 45 percent of Israeli voters had cast their ballots by mid-afternoon.

Update: Voting is under way with record turnout, and Likud has asked to extend voting hours, a move the opposition condemns, The Guardian reports.

the GuardianOpposition condemns Netanyahu’s bid to extend voting hours in pivotal Israeli election – live updatesThe election has seen a record turnout of voters with Likud party requesting an extension to voting hours

Update: Exit polls after Israel's vote show Netanyahu's bloc at about 50 seats and Gadi Eisenkot's bloc at 52 or 53, with Arab parties on 18 and 61 needed for a majority, so there is no clear winner; preliminary results are due Wednesday and the official count on November 4 (Al Jazeera).

Al JazeeraExit polls following Israeli elections indicate no clear winnerThe official results are due to be published on November 4, more than a week after the vote.

Update: Israel's election was too close to call on Tuesday night after historic turnout, with exit polls giving Netanyahu's bloc slightly fewer seats and Palestinian parties showing the biggest gains. The Guardian

the GuardianIsrael election too close to call as exit polls give Netanyahu bloc slightly fewer seatsEarly indications suggest it will be some time before the shape of new government and who will lead it is clear

Update: After polls closed, Israeli media exit polls project no clear mandate, with the Arab parties projected at up to 18 Knesset seats combined and support for far-right parties declining; President Isaac Herzog will task the candidate he judges best placed to form a government once results are in. Al Jazeera

Al JazeeraNo clear mandate projected in Israel election: What’s next?President Isaac Herzog will task the candidate he deems best placed to form a government once results are in.