Candidates in Italy's general election are completing their final day of campaigning ahead of two days of voting, beginning on Sunday, February 23, BBC News said.

The election is being closely watched in the eurozone, with the Italian government's future commitment to austerity measures under scrutiny.

Centre-left candidate Pier Luigi Bersani is currently leading the polls.

Coalitions led by current Prime Minister Mario Monti and ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi are also running.

The polls suggest there will also be a strong turnout for Beppo Grillo, a popular comedian who has campaigned against the political establishment.

The election is taking place amid a deep recession and austerity measures that have caused resentment among Italians.

It is being held two months early, after Berlusconi's party withdrew its support for Monti's technocratic government.

Monti has introduced cuts to public services in an effort to reduce national borrowing and maintain the confidence of financial markets.