The Electoral Commission said this afternoon that 45 percent of eligible voters had cast their general election ballot by 2 p.m.

That compares to 49 percent in 2003.

The highest turnout was 51 percent in the fourth district, and the lowest was 38 percent in the twelfth.

The following are the district by district turnout figures, with the 2003 turnout up to 2 p.m. in brackets)

First district: 46% (56%)

Second district: 45% (49%)

Third district: 41% (48%)

Fourth district: 51% (52%)

Fifth district: 43 % (47%)

Sixth district: 46% (42%)

Seventh district: 40% (47%)

Eighth district: 48% (51%)

Ninth district: 48% (53%)

Tenth district: 47% (57%)

Eleventh district: 46% (48%)

Twelfth district : 38% (47%)

Thirteenth district: 44% (47%)

Turnout for the local council elections was 35 percent.

Polling is proceeding smoothly, although there were a few hitches, particularly in the localities where the local and general elections are held, where some people cast their ballots in the wrong ballot boxes.

Chief Electoral Commissioner Edward Gatt earlier this week had warned against people making this mistake, saying it could hold up the counting process.

The election is being held under changeable weather conditions, with Malta and Gozo having seen sun and rain and Gozo also some hail and thunder.