ROME, MAY 25 -
Exit polls put centre-right candidates ahead in local elections in Venice and Reggio Calabria, the biggest cities up for grabs in a round of local votes in which over 6.6 million Italians were called on to cast ballots, after polling stations closed on Monday.
In Venice, an Opinio exit poll for State broadcaster Rai put centre-right candidate Simone Venturini on a range of between 47% and 51% of the vote, well ahead of the centre-left's Andrea Martella, on 40-44%.
The centre right has governed the lagoon city for 11 years.
The centre right's Francesco Cannizzaro looked set to cruise home in Reggio Calabria, with an Opinio exit poll putting him on 64-68%, compared to 21-25% for the centre-left's Domenico Battaglia.
