Loyalists to the deposed, exiled and allegedly corrupt ex-prime minister of Thailand appeared poised to win the country's national election Sunday.

Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted from power by a bloodless military coup 15 months ago, and some hope the election will restore a sense of democracy in the Asian country.

The past two years in Thailand have been marked by intense political instability, unrest that began with popular demonstrations demanding that Thaksin step down because of alleged corruption and abuse of power. The protest culminated in the coup.

Some say Thaksin could return to Thailand as early as next year, a move many say could trigger more unrest.

Polls opened Sunday morning under the guard of some 4,000 troops, most of them in southern Thailand where insurgents have taken the lives of more than 2,600 people, said Col. Thanathip Sawangsaeng, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command.

Polls close at 3 a.m. ET Sunday and unofficial results are expected later in the day.

The Election Commission has been barraged by more than 700 complaints of election fraud, mostly related to vote-buying. The night before elections is popularly called the "night of the howling dogs," as canvassers knock on doors to distribute last-minute cash for votes in rural areas.

The election pits the populist People's Power Party, stacked by Thaksin supporters, against the Democrat Party.

The leaders of the two parties differ greatly.

People's Power Party head Samak Sundaravej, 72, is an acid-tongued, ultra-rightist dubbed a political dinosaur by the local media.

Seen as Thaksin's proxy, Samak faces charges of involvement in corrupt deals while serving as Bangkok's mayor, but his earthy style appeals to many.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, 43, who leads the Democrats, is regarded as an intelligent, honest politician but lacking the common touch needed to connect with the electorate. English-born and educated at Eton and Oxford, critics say he is more comfortable in elite circles than wooing the key rural voters.

Polls show the People's Power, considered a reincarnation of Thaksin's outlawed Thai Rak Thai party, will probably garner the most votes but fall short of an outright majority. A coalition government of the Democrats and smaller parties is seen as a possible outcome.

About 5,000 candidates from 39 political parties are contending for 480 seats in parliament's lower house. There are 45 million eligible voters.