Livni gains 47 percent of the votes, and her main rival, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz secures 37 percent, according to an exit poll conducted by local TV Channel 1 and released shortly after the polls closed at 10:30 p.m. (1930 GMT).

Another survey, conducted by Channel 2, put the two figures at 48 percent and 37 percent, and the third, by Channel 10, showed Livni will beat Mofaz by 49 percent to 37 percent.

The exit polls mirrored two opinion polls respectively conducted last week and earlier this week, which showed that Livni, 50, would win out in just one round.

Over half of the some 74,000 eligible voters cast their ballots at the over 110 polling stations across the Jewish states in the primary, Kadima's first in its three-year-long history.

The other two candidates, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit, respectively pocketed less than 10 percent of the votes, according to the polls.

In response to the exit polls, Mofaz told his campaign to wait for the final results from Kadima's central elections committee. Local news service Ynet quoted him as saying that "the polls were taken during a very congested, critical time at the polls."

The military veteran said earlier this week that following an in-depth study of the Kadima members, he believed that he would win in one round with 43.7 percent of the votes.

Dichter's camp said in a statement that "We're satisfied with the results of exit polls and are waiting for the final results," adding that the race was "Dichter's first, but certainly not his last."

If official results find Livni win with over 40 percent of the votes, she will become Kadima's third and first woman leader following its founder, former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and sitting Premier Ehud Olmert, without competing in a second round.

Once officially declared winner, Livni is set to have an opportunity to form a new government. If such efforts succeed, she will become Israel's second woman prime minister after Golda Meir.

Early polls also found that Livni has a good chance of success in the cabinet-making efforts. She herself has also expressed confidence that she could set up a new coalition quickly.

Olmert, whose premiership has been dogged by a series of police probes, has promised to resign after the primary. He would remain in power as caretaker prime minister till the formation of a new government.