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Thousands of citizens have been crowding the polling stations since early morning, to vote for New Democracy president. 200,000 had voted by noon, with queues forming in many places.

Many citizens have also been visiting the party's head office at Syngrou Avenue to be informed of the procedure, especially those who have no internet access. Because of the heightened interest, voting is extended to 20:00 instead of 19:00 as was the original deadline.

Brisk participation shows the dynamics within the party and even surprised candidates' staffs. They all highlighted the fact in their statements.

The first estimates are expected at around 21:00, with the results coming out at about 23:00. The runners are Evangelos Meimarakis, Adonis Georgiadis, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

Meimarakis: Tonight there will be winners and losers

Evangelos Meimarakis, who was the last to both among the candidates, chose to send a message of unity. He described the day as a celebration of New Democracy – and democracy in general.

"There will be no winners and losers tonight. The big winner is New Democracy, facing the future with optimism, and winning people's trust," said Meimarakis and expressed his satisfaction with the overcoming of technical glitches.

Samaras: Let's put an end to the current ruthless and incompetent government

Antonis Samaras also appealed for unity, but slammed the government no less.

The strength of the biggest opposition party lies in its unity, emphasised the former prime minister. He added it is the precondition of being able to put paid to the rule of this ruthless and incompetent government.

Georgiadis: Voter turnout will surpass all expectations

Adonis Georgiadis expressed his satisfaction with the turnout. According to him, it will surpass all expectations.

"This implies people appreciate New Democracy and our attempts to build a centre-right party, which will soon take the fate of the country iton its hands and improve people's lives," says Georgiadis.

"From tomorrow, we will all stand together – united, strong, for the party we dream of," he said.

Mitsotakis: New Democracy will emerge united and rejuvenated

Kyriakos Mitsotakis qualified the day as a celebration for the party.

"New Democracy will emerge united and rejuvenated. I urge those who have not come out yet to come and vote. It is very important – not only for the party, but for the country. The country needs a united, strong, centre-right party and I am certain this is what we are going to have tomorrow," he said and added that 2016 will be a very good year for New Democracy.

Tzitzikostas: We are turning a page

Having voted in Thessaloniki, Apostolos Tzitzikostas spoke about the future of New Democracy. "The party's friends took the fate of New Democracy into their hands. We are turning a page, we are relegating to the past what has hurt us while sustaining the good things," said the candidate.

"We're going to a party, which is open, modern, democratic, and in constant touch with the public. A modern European centre-right party, which will soon be able to free the country of this reckless government," added Tzitzikostas.

Karamanlis voted together with his wife

Costas Karamanlis came to the polling station with his wife Natasa Pazaïti. The former prime minister voted in Thessaloniki, talked with a few people, but made no statements.

Plakiotakis: We guarantee the unity of the party with our vote

Yannis Plakiotakis voted early in the morning, in Agios Nikolaos, Crete. "Today we are voting for the present and the future of the party. With our vote, we guarantee the party's unity and support our common endeavour to create a big, strong, contemporary democracy," said the caretaker leader of the party.