MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gibraltar elects new government.

As of 09:00 hours Thursday November 27 the people of Gibraltar will be casting their vote in what has been a quiet general election.

The latest public opinion polls, Monday and Tuesday, indicate that the ruling Gibraltar Social Democrats, GSD is ahead with 51/53% of the vote while the opposition GSLP/Liberals have under 35% support. Daniel Feetham's Labour although increasing, is still lagging.

Polling stations will be closing at 22:00 hours and the result can be expected at 18:00 hours Friday November 28.

Peter Caruana and the GSD have been in power since May 1996. In the last election Mr. Caruana was supported by 58% of the vote and Joe Bossano and the GSLP, 41%.

Given Gibraltar's block electoral system GSLP seems certain to become the party of the opposition.

Gibraltar has a unicameral 18 seats House of Assembly, 15 elected by popular vote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio members. Members serve four-year terms.