News Service from House Harris

QLD: Political leaders vote in Queensland election

BRISBANE, March 21 AAP - Queensland's political leaders have cast their votes in the state election, which looks headed for a photo finish.

Premier Anna Bligh, with her family in tow, visited East Brisbane State School just after 10am (AEST) on Saturday to cast her vote in her electorate of South Brisbane.

She said the latest Newspoll, which puts Labor behind on a two-party preferred vote by just 49.9 per cent to 50.1 per cent, had shown the election was so close that every vote, including hers, was going to count.

"I think a lot of people often feel their vote doesn't change things, but every single vote is going to count in this election," she said.

"We may not have a result tonight, but I think what we will see tonight is a very interesting outcome."

Liberal National Party leader Lawrence Springborg cast his vote at Yelarbon State School, in his electorate of Southern Downs.

"If people want more of the same, they'll vote for the Labor Party," he said.

Independent candidate Pauline Hanson lodged her vote in what she says is her last tilt at a renewed political career.

The One Nation founder and former federal senator voted at Boonah State School in her electorate of Beaudesert.

Ms Hanson said she was "quietly confident" because an informal exit poll had put her vote at four times that of her rival, LNP candidate Aidan McLindon.

Queensland Greens leader and Indooroopilly MP Ronan Lee voted at the Indooroopilly Uniting Church Hall, where his mother and father were staffing the polling booth.

Mr Lee, the first ever Queensland Greens MP, grabbed headlines late in 2008 when he defected from the Labor Party.

He said he was positive he would put up a strong fight against LNP Indooroopilly candidate Scott Emerson and that the Greens would grab some seats across the state.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission Queensland is encouraging residents who want to avoid lines to visit the polling booth in Ann Street in Brisbane's CBD.

Electoral Commissioner David Kerslake said the polling booth, in the Primary Industries building, was using electronic issuing of ballot papers there, meaning there was no lineup.

Mr Kerslake also echoed Ms Bligh's comments that an election result may not come tonight.

"That's in line with our thinking, it could take up to 10 days.

"There is a 10 day period for postal and absentee votes to be collected across the state.

"It was the case in 1998 and it's not unusual in tight elections for no definite result on the night."