Italians are electing municipal mayors on Sunday in a municipal poll seen as a key test of party support ahead of looming parliamentary elections, The Local reported.

Some 9 million voters will elect mayors in more than 1,000 towns and cities, with runoffs to be held on June 25 where no candidate gets more than 50 percent in the first round.

Exit polls will be published for the main cities when polls close at 11pm and first projections based on the actual vote count will be released about 45 minutes later.