Exit polls in Greece's early election show the left-wing Syriza party of Alexis Tsipras likely winning, but falling short of an absolute majority needed to form a government.

The early indication exit poll showed a close contest, with an outside chance that rival conservative New Democracy could be capable of an upset.

Syriza was projected to win between 30 and 34%, and New Democracy between 28.5 and 32.5%.

The poll indicated eight parties would be elected to parliament, with a ninth - the anti-bailout Popular Unity party formed by rebel Syriza members - struggling to make it past the 3% threshold.