Polling stations open in France for second round of presidential election

France started voting in a presidential runoff election on Sunday, with incumbent Emmanuel Macron dealing with his rival Marine Le Pen.

The results of voting in France, a nuclear-armed nation with one of many world’s largest economies, might have an effect on the whole European continent, but in addition influence the battle in Ukraine, as France has performed a key function in diplomatic efforts and help for sanctions in opposition to Russia.

A lot will rely Sunday on how many individuals out of the 48.8 million eligible voters end up on the polling stations, which is able to shut at 7 pm CET in many of the nation, whereas some will stay open till 8 pm in main city areas.

Many count on that the sturdy first-round turnout of 73.69% will repeat for the Sunday runoff. Nevertheless, the turnout for the second spherical of the presidential election was 26.41% at noon, almost two factors decrease than in 2017, when it stood at 28.23%.

The determine additionally marks a decline in comparison with the second spherical of voting in 2012 (30.66%) and 2007 (34.11%).

First outcomes on Sunday night

France nonetheless makes use of paper ballots tucked in paper envelopes to forged votes, with no absentee voting, and no early voting both. Mail-in voting was banned in 1975 amid fears of potential fraud.

About 7% of individuals voted by proxy within the final presidential election 5 years in the past. French folks residing overseas vote in embassies or consulates.

Voters make their selections in a sales space, with the curtains closed, then place their poll in an envelope that's then put right into a clear poll field. They have to present a photograph identification and signal a doc, subsequent to their identify, to finish the method.

Machine voting has been allowed on an experimental foundation, however the buy of recent machines has been frozen since 2008 as a consequence of safety considerations. Solely about 60 cities nonetheless use them, out of 35,000 municipalities in France.

The primary preliminary outcomes may be anticipated at 8 pm, because the electoral authorities publish a projection based mostly on choose polling stations chosen as consultant of France.