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| France votes for new president amid high security | France votes for new president amid high security |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Voters are going to the polls in France to choose their next president, amid high security following a deadly attack on Paris police three days ago. | Voters are going to the polls in France to choose their next president, amid high security following a deadly attack on Paris police three days ago. |
| About 50,000 police and 7,000 soldiers have been deployed across the country to secure polling. | About 50,000 police and 7,000 soldiers have been deployed across the country to secure polling. |
| Eleven candidates are vying to be the next president, with candidates spanning the political spectrum. | Eleven candidates are vying to be the next president, with candidates spanning the political spectrum. |
| If, as expected, no-one wins 50%, the two with the most votes will go to a run-off round in a fortnight's time. | If, as expected, no-one wins 50%, the two with the most votes will go to a run-off round in a fortnight's time. |
| Polling stations in France opened at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT), although some overseas territories began the voting on Saturday. | |
| Most polling stations close at 19:00, with some stations in major cities able to remain open for another hour. Exit polls are expected quickly afterwards. | |
| Live coverage of the French election | Live coverage of the French election |
| Turnout by noon was 28.54% of the electorate, slightly up on the corresponding 2012 figure of 28.29%. | Turnout by noon was 28.54% of the electorate, slightly up on the corresponding 2012 figure of 28.29%. |
| Four candidates are seen as being within reach of the presidency: the conservative François Fillon, the far-right leader Marine Le Pen, liberal centrist Emmanuel Macron and the far-left's Jean-Luc Mélenchon. | Four candidates are seen as being within reach of the presidency: the conservative François Fillon, the far-right leader Marine Le Pen, liberal centrist Emmanuel Macron and the far-left's Jean-Luc Mélenchon. |
| The candidates have created plenty of debate in the country, all offering dramatically different visions of Europe, immigration, the economy and French identity. | The candidates have created plenty of debate in the country, all offering dramatically different visions of Europe, immigration, the economy and French identity. |
| Extra security measures are in place on polling day after Karim Cheurfi, a convicted criminal, shot a police officer in the head on the Champs Elysees in Paris. | Extra security measures are in place on polling day after Karim Cheurfi, a convicted criminal, shot a police officer in the head on the Champs Elysees in Paris. |
| Cheurfi was killed by security forces and a note defending the so-called Islamic State group was found near his body. | Cheurfi was killed by security forces and a note defending the so-called Islamic State group was found near his body. |
| The election is taking place under a state of emergency, which was imposed following the attacks in Paris in November 2015. | The election is taking place under a state of emergency, which was imposed following the attacks in Paris in November 2015. |
| Security was one of the main talking points during the campaign, but candidates have been accused of exploiting the most recent attack for political gains. | Security was one of the main talking points during the campaign, but candidates have been accused of exploiting the most recent attack for political gains. |
| The race between the leading contenders is considered too close to call. | The race between the leading contenders is considered too close to call. |
| However, no candidate is expected to get the 50% of votes required for an outright win. | However, no candidate is expected to get the 50% of votes required for an outright win. |
| A second round between the top two will be held on 7 May. | A second round between the top two will be held on 7 May. |
| Mr Fillon is the only one among the leading contenders from an established party of government. | Mr Fillon is the only one among the leading contenders from an established party of government. |
| Benoît Hamon, the Socialist candidate from the same party as the current president, is largely seen to be out of the running. | |
| The unpopular President François Hollande is not seeking a second term, and is the first French president in modern history not to do so. | The unpopular President François Hollande is not seeking a second term, and is the first French president in modern history not to do so. |