Tokyo, Aug 30 (DPA) Polls for electing a new House of Representatives opened across Japan Sunday.

Election results could start coming in after voting for the House of Representatives ends at 8 p.m. (1100 GMT). A newspaper survey predicted a record turnout of around 70 percent for the first House election in five years.

Based on pre-election opinion surveys, the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) was expected to secure an overwhelming majority, capturing more than 300 seats in the 480-seat lower chamber, while putting an end to more than 50 years of reign by

Prime Minister Taro Aso's Liberal Democratic Party.

If the DPJ wins, party chief Yukio Hatoyama would be highly likely to become the next prime minister.