Catalan separatist parties were on course to win an absolute parliamentary majority in a crucial regional vote Thursday, official partial results showed, with 85 percent of the ballots counted at 2145 GMT.

The three pro-independence lists appeared set to win 70 of the 135 seats in parliament -- two less than their previous tally of 72 seats in 2015.

Voter turnout hit a record high, soaring above 80 percent.

source: AFP