Sharjah 24 – AFP: Japan's ruling coalition is projected to have won the most votes in an election held just two days after the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, local media said Sunday.

The ex-premier's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito are expected to strengthen their hold, claiming between 70 and 83 of the 125 upper house seats up for grabs, according to national broadcaster NHK.

Even before Abe's murder, the LDP and Komeito were expected to cement their majority, though the final number of seats will be scrutinised for signs of whether the attack bolstered support for them.

"I think it is significant we were able to complete the elections," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told NHK, adding he wants to tackle the pandemic, Ukraine-related issues and inflation.

Kishida had insisted the election proceed despite the assassination, saying "we must never allow violence to suppress speech."

Conceding defeat, Kenta Izumi, leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, which was projected to have lost several seats, said it was clear "voters did not want to switch from the LDP and entrust us with running the government," according to Kyodo News.

Despite the murder, turnout rate for the election remained low at only 52 percent, the outlet reported based on latest data available Monday morning.