An exit poll for Television Espanola indicates Spain's governing Socialist Party has won Sunday's election.

The poll suggests the party has boosted its number of seats to between 163 and 176 seats, bordering the threshold of an absolute majority in the 350-member parliament.

The conservative opposition Popular Party looks likely to win between 145 and 152 seats.

Official results are expected later Sunday (local time).

The Socialists need 176 seats for an absolute majority.

If the result of the polls are confirmed, the party could be forced to make uncomfortable alliances with smaller regional nationalist parties to pass legislation.

- AFP/Reuters