But election analysts said the totals so far were too small to form the basis of a projection.

Democrats appear to be leading in Minnesota, New Jersey and Nebraska, although election analysts say all three races have tightened.

Bharti is an anchor, political commentator and election analyst.

There are fears among election analysts and politicians that nonvoters could make up more than half the electorate, the worst showing in half a century.

An election analyst said that was by no means certain.

The secretary of state, J. Kenneth Blackwell, estimated that the final number could be 175,000; election analysts generally said they expected about 150,000.

The network made the projection anyway, he explained, because "our election analysts told us they were confident to make the call."

Some election analysts said they believed the Conservatives could win up to 50 seats if a general election were held now.

In some cases, they will turn their cameras loose in their control rooms or point them at the traditionally shrouded election analysts who actually make the calls.

"We are probably heading for a very chaotic election," said David Timberman, an American election analyst.