Voter turnout stable in unpredictable French election

Outgoing President François Hollande has cast his vote in what has become one of the most unpredictable French elections in decades.

At midday voter turnout stood at 28.54% – stable compared to the 2012 election figure of 28.29% , according to officials.

The final participation rate was 79.48% in the first round of 2012.

The unpopular President Hollande, who is not seeking a second term, called on the French “to show that democracy is stronger than anything else”.

Asked about the terrorist threat, he assured that “all measures have been taken” to ensure the French can safely vote.

Eleven candidates are vying for the presidency in this first round of voting.

The top two will face a run-off vote in two weeks time.

Some 47 million people are eligible to take part in the ballot.

The vote comes amid an unprecedented context of security and terrorist concerns in France.

The threat of terrorism was pushed to the top of the agenda in the final hours of the campaigning after a policeman was shot and killed on the Champs-Elysee.

Officials promised tight security during the voting, with more than 50,000 police and other security personnel on duty.

The country has already been under a state of emergency for many months, with soldiers patrolling key public places.

The polls opened at 8am and will remain open until 7pm and 8pm in major cities.

SOURCE: euronews