French presidential polls begin in overseas regions

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Paris, May 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Voting in the French presidential elections – that are scheduled for Sunday – began Saturday in some overseas territories of France due to time differences.

The first round of the presidential race in France ended April 22. Two leaders will Sunday compete in the second round. They are Francois Hollande, an opposition leader of the French Socialist Party, and Nicolas Sarkozy, incumbent president and leader of the ruling Union for a Popular Movement.

The runoff election will take place Sunday.

The first four polling stations opened Saturday on the island of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located to the west of Canada. There are a total of 4,900 registered voters.

Residents of French Guiana which is situated in South America, the islands of the Caribbean — Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Barthelemy, and the French side of the island of St. Maarten, and French Polynesia also went to polls Saturday.

The results of voting in the overseas territories, according to the law, will be announced Sunday evening when the last polling stations in France close.

Sarkozy is expected to deliver a speech to his supporters and journalists at the election headquarters after the name of the winner is known.

Hollande is leading in the latest opinion polls, with 53.5 percent of voters saying they intend to vote for him.

–IANS/RIA Novosti

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IANS