Jerusalem, Oct. 27 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday (local time) urged right-wing voters to cast their ballots, claiming that turnout was higher than usual in left-wing strongholds.

His remarks come as Israel recorded 16.7 per cent voter turnout by 10 am local time, the highest early polling figure at that hour since at least 1981, according to The Times of Israel.

In a post on X, Netanyahu called on his supporters to vote, describing the situation as an "emergency hour" for right-wing voters.

"Higher-than-usual turnout rates in the left's strongholds. Right or Palestine, for real. Right-wing voters, this is an emergency hour... Go out and vote right now!" he said.

"The left's activists are storming the polling ...