Long wait for change in US

Washington: Americans crowded polling stations on Tuesday to vote in their historic election, with Democrat Barack Obama fighting to be the first black US president and Republican John McCain hoping for an upset win.

Long queues snaked in the dark outside polling stations waiting to open in states such as New York, Maryland, and hotly contested Virginia, with many prepared to stand for hours to vote.

Video: UAE residents comment on US elections

Results were expected to start pouring in after the first polls closed at 2300 GMT, and by early morning (UAE time) it will be clear who will succeed US President George W. Bush ending his second four-year term in January.

History's longest, costliest White House campaign ended with Obama the hot favourite, enjoying wide leads in national polls and the edge in a string of battleground states which could swing the election either way.

The first voting of the day took place in the small New Hampshire town of Dixville Notch, where polls opened at midnight on Tuesday.

The town, which has a 60-year tradition of being the first to vote, saw a voter turnout of 100 per cent, with Obama beating McCain by 15 votes.

Obama cast his vote in his homestate of Illinois along with his wife Michelle. Their children accompanied them to the polling station, making it a family affair.

McCain voted in his homestate of Arizona before heading off for last minute campaigning.