Sharon ahead in final polls

OPINION polls have shown Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's party ahead of its rivals heading into today's ballot, while Israeli security forces barred Palestinians from entering Israel in advance of the national elections.

Concerned about possible Palestinian attacks during the election period, security forces stepped up already tight travel restrictions on Palestinians, who will not be allowed to cross from the West Bank and Gaza into Israel proper until tomorrow Most Palestinians already were prevented from entering Israel even before the latest move.

The army lifted curfews in several West Bank cities, allowing residents to leave their homes and permitting shops to open, but the curfew remained in Nablus and Bethlehem.