Early voting begins for the Victorian election as poll suggests a tightening race

Labor MP for Box Hill, Paul Hamer, talks to people queuing outside a polling centre as early voting opened in the Victorian state election. Photograph: Ellen Smith/The Guardian

With Daniel Andrews’ face plastered on both Labor and Liberal corflutes on the way into polling booths, voters have braved the wet weather to kick off early voting in Victoria’s state election.

Some waited for hours – damp but determined – as the Victorian Electoral Commission partly blamed issues with printing ballot papers for Monday’s delays.