Americans have started voting in the most highly anticipated elections in recent memory, with the world following closely the developments on whether the next US president would be the first black US leader or the oldest to assume the post.

Democrat Barack Obama has won the first balloting in New Hampshire’s Dixville Notch, taking away a lopsided win in a town that has long supported Republicans.

Obama also trounced McCain in the NH town of Hart’s Location.

Going into the elections, The final public-opinion surveys point to a 52 to 42 edge favoring Obama. But the polls may be wrong.

Pundits predict that Virginia is the new bellweather this year. Routinely voting for Republicans, Virginia may switch to the Democrats this year and that would be terrible news to Republican John McCain.

The voting has been given so much significance by both campaigns, and a pundit has dubbed it transcendental. CNN calls it “historic”.

What will happen today in the US? Get your fill in this BBC News guide.

Ahead of the vote, people across the world are already celebrating for Obama, according to an Aljazeera magazine article.

TV networks in the US are expected to showcase tech gizmos in their own contest to grab the share of the TV audience today.

On the eve of the elections, tragic news hit Obama personally: He wept before a rally crowd when he announced the death of his grandmother who he visited late last week. Madelyn Durham was 86.

In the Philippines, the presidential spokesperson issued the following statement:

Malacanang is positive that whatever the outcome of the US presidential race, the Philippines and the United States will continue to prosper as friends and allies. The Palace wishes the American people a peaceful and fair elections as this great and pivotal moment approaches.

Which is odd, considering President Arroyo’s illegitimate win in 2004.