Australian indigenous referendum is set to be held on October 14. People in some parts of the country have started casting their ballots in early voting.

The referendum asks Australians whether their Constitution should be changed to recognize the country's original inhabitants as the "First Peoples of Australia" and establish a permanent advisory body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. It would give those citizens a say in key policies affecting them.

Indigenous Australians account for about 3 percent of the population. They still face disadvantages, including discrimination and poor outcomes in health and education.

On Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Melbourne, where early voting has begun. He's been leading the "Yes" campaign, as constitutional alteration is one of his key policies.

A recent poll by a major national newspaper put "Yes" at 36 percent and "No" at 56 percent. Opponents say the change would cause division in the country by giving preferential treatment to a specific group of people.