Opposition Grand National Party (GNP) presidential candidate Lee Myung-Bak gestures to supporters.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

The presidential elections was kicked off in South Korea nationwide at 6 a.m. Wednesday (2100 GMT Tuesday).

A total of 13,178 polling stations nationwide will be opened to 37.65 million eligible voters from 6 a.m. (2100 GMT Tuesday) to 6 p.m. (0900 GMT Wednesday) Wednesday, according to the National Election Commission (NEC).

More than 80,000 policemen are deployed at the polling stations on Wednesday throughout the country, the NEC said.

The ballot counting will start at around 7 p.m. (1000 GMT) at 249 ballot counting stations throughout the country and will likely finish by midnight except for those cast in remote areas.

It expects the preliminary result to be known between 9 p.m. (1200 GMT) and 10 p.m. (1300 GMT).

Among a total of 10 presidential candidates, Lee Myung-bak of the Grand National Party (GNP), Chung Dong-young of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) and the independent Lee Hoi-chang are regarded as the most hopeful candidates for the next president.

The winner of Wednesday's elections will take office as president from Feb. 25, 2008.