Key facts and figures:
* This year's elections are considered the most democratic as six more directly elected seats are up for grabs than in the last legislative poll, in 2000.
* 159 candidates are vying for 60 seats in the chamber. Some 3.2 million of the city's 6.8 million residents are registered to vote.
* Pollsters expect a record turnout of up to 60 percent, or 1.92 million. The 2000 elections had a 53 percent turnout.
* Lawmakers represent 32 different constituencies:
30 seats are spread among five Geographical Constituencies (GCs), which contain up to seven seats each.
The balance is distributed among 27 Functional Constituencies (FC), which represent commercial and industrial sectors and trade groups. Most are single-seat constituencies, but that representing the labor sector has three.
* FC lawmakers are elected by block or individual vote. FCs are generally regarded as an undemocratic blot on the city's political landscape as each FC elector has up to 42 times the voting power of GC electors.
* Voting will take place from 7.30am to 10:30pm at 501 polling stations.
* The first results are expected around midnight and the final results are due around 2:00am.
Source:AFP
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