The government declared a national holiday for the election and imposed a 24-hour liquor ban across the archipelago of 83 islands.

Police were posted at some polling stations to prevent trouble, and police deputy commissioner Arthur Caulton said there were "some minor incidents" when voters who had failed to register turned up to cast their ballots.

"Generally it has been quiet," Caulton told The Associated Press from the capital, Port Vila.

Several ballot boxed were burned at polling stations on Tanna island during the last election in 2004, and a 30-strong contingent of police has been sent there to keep order, he said.

The 341 candidates are vying for Parliament's 52 seats, the Electoral Office said in a news release. Nearly 100 candidates stood in the last parliamentary poll.

It said 150,000 people have enrolled to vote - up 20,000 from the 2004 election.

Caulton said long lines of votes patiently queued at polling stations early in the day.

"There have been a lot of people voting and a good turnout," he said.

Prime Minister Ham Lini is seeking a fresh mandate in Tuesday's vote.

Lini took power in December 2004 after his predecessor Serge Vohor was forced from office over a diplomatic recognition deal he signed with Taiwan. Lini revoked all Vanuatu's agreements with Taiwan and pledged the nation's "staunch commitment" to a one-China policy.

Lini is currently supported by a coalition of parties - his National United Party holds only 11 parliamentary seats - and it was not immediately clear if that coalition would stand after the election.

New Zealand's High Commissioner in Vanuatu Jeff Langley said the election was a three-way race between Lini, former premier Edward Natapei and Maxine Carlo Korman.

Unofficial results were expected to be released by the Electoral Office later Wednesday, with a final count expected to be announced Friday.