French vote in record election

Dubai: Voters arrived in large numbers at the Alliance Francais in Dubai, and the French embassy in Abu Dhabi on Sunday in order to cast their ballots in the second part of an election France is billing as a record turnout.

Voters will be faced with a choice between socialist Segolene Royal and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy, who are bidding to succeed Jaques Chirac after 12 years.

Sarkozy and Royal each offer a fundamentally different view of how to run France. Sarkozy, advocates liberal economic reforms and a tough line on immigration, whilst Royal wants to conserve France's generous welfare system.

Belgian media reported that Sarkozy is on course to win France's presidential election with at least 54 percent of the vote.

Quoting unofficial estimates, the RTBF public broadcasting station and the newspapers Le Soir and La Libre Belgique reported Sarkozy is beating Segolene Royal comfortably.

La Libre Belgique daily and RTBF quoted several sources as saying Sarkozy was leading with 53 percent more than two hours before the balloting ends in the main urban centres.

Le Soir, quoting sources close to the French Interior Ministry's political intelligence service, said Sarkozy had about 54 percent of the vote.

Polls opened at 0800 (0600 GMT) for mainland France's 43.5 million voters. One million citizens living in the overseas territories or other countries cast their votes earlier. The ballot hit 35 per cent by midday.