London's famous Big Ben tower
London's famous Big Ben towerIsrael news photo: Flash 90

British voters headed to the polls to choose a new prime minister and parliament on Thursday, but pundits said the election appeared to be so close that it might result in the UK's first hung parliament since 1974.

Such a close race is not good news for the State of Israel, particularly if it results in a strong showing by leftist Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg. Polling stations were open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM local time, with first returns not expected until at least 11:00 PM or later.

More than 44 million citizens are eligible to vote in Great Britain, with nearly 4,150 candidates to choose from across the country. All the leaders of the major parties cast their ballots before midday.

Conservative leader David Cameron was the first of his party's leadership to vote, accompanied to the polling station in Oxfordshire by his wife, Samantha. Shortly after, Labour leader and incumbent Prime Minister Gordon Brown cast his ballot near his home in North Queensferry, Fife, together with his wife Sarah. Leftist Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg was the third major candidate to vote, appearing at the polling station in Sheffield Hallam alone because his wife, Miriam, is a citizen of Spain and unable to vote in general elections. Scottish National Party candidate Alex Salmond, the fourth major party leader cast his ballot just before noon at Macduff, in Banffshire.

Every vote counts

In the battle to seat 646 Members of Parliament, every vote counts – and this year, Britain's Muslim vote has become more important than ever. At present, the Muslim community numbers two million strong in a population that totals some 61 million, and it tends to vote as a block. Its concentration in small areas has made it a "must-woo" sector for the candidates.

Given the razor-thin polls between the Conservative and Labour parties as they entered the final stretch this week, the Muslim vote may be the majority-maker for the next parliament, as well as provide the winning edge in local contests.

That is, if the Muslim citizens vote. The Muslim Public Affairs Committee UK (MpacUK), a London-based civil liberties group estimated last month that only 32 percent of Muslims in the country were “absolutely certain” to cast their ballots. Moreover, the group said that a high percentage of Muslims does not bother to register to vote, because they do not believe it is worth voting for a government that does not comply with Sharia (Islamic) law, or that supports abortion and the consumption of alcohol.

Other issues on the table for the Muslim population, as seen in Internet Facebook campaigns, were 'Islamophobia', civil liberties, and anger over foreign policy, including the UK's policies on Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Grassroots Muslim organizations launched various campaigns designed to persuade their population to get out and cast their ballots, including exhorting the faithful on Fridays at the mosque, but at the end of the day, only the final tally will tell the tale.