Italian turnout at 48.9 percent at halfway point, down on 2006

ROME - Turnout in Italy's general elections stood at 48.9 percent halfway through the two-day polls, down more than three percent from the same juncture two years ago, the interior ministry said.

Turnout in the 2006 elections was 52.2 percent after 11 hours of polling, the ministry noted on its website, adding that the figures concern only polling for the lower house Chamber of Deputies.

The lower turnout may be a reflection of widespread disillusionment over Italy's electoral system which many blame for the collapse of Romano Prodi's centre-left government in January after only 20 months at the helm.

Polls were to close at 10:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Sunday and reopen Monday at 7:00 am for another eight hours, for a total of 22 hours of balloting.

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04/13/2008 18:18 GMT