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© unknownRuling Democrat Party candidate and incumbent Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, cast his vote at a polling station set up at the Sawadee school in Bangkok on July 3, 2011.
Thai people have begun voting in general elections seen as crucial in resolving a long-running political crisis in the southeastern Asian country.

Television stations reported long lines at polling stations nationwide on Sunday as registered voters take part in elections for a new 500-member parliament, the Associated Press reported.

The Election Commission is expected to announce preliminary results Sunday night.

Nearly 170,000 police officers have been deployed outside polling stations, but no incidents of violence have been reported so far.

Opinion polls say the Puea Thai party, led by opposition leader Yingluck Shinawatra, will win the election over the ruling Democrats, headed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Thailand has endured six years of bloody political protests.

Last year, anti-government demonstrations led to a military crackdown that left about 90 people dead.