France to Vote

The French election has officially started.

Nicolas Sarkozy (right winger) is ahead of the Socialist Serogene Royal. A campaign ban came into effect yesterday, preventing any more French political material to be published until all the votes are in. The 12 candidates are anticipating their results.

The tiny French overseas territories of St Pierre and Miquelon kicked off the event, off Canada's east coast, home to only 5,000 votes between them. Other French islands such as Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana have also voted.

In France, polls opened at 8am (French time) and closed at 8pm, also French time. The top two candidates go into the second round, when the French vote again. The reason behind having a second round is so that one candidate will get over 50% of the vote.

After Sarkozy and Royal, the runner-up is Francois Bayrou, followed by the 78-year old Nationalistic Jean-Marie Le Pen.