A series of photos of French voters going to vote for the owner of the Elysee Palace

Voters collect their ballots at a polling station in Lyon, France, on April 24 – Photo: REUTERS

Polling places in France will open for 12 hours and close at 6pm on 24/4. There were a total of 48.7 million eligible voters in this election.

Preliminary results of the second round are expected to be announced at 8pm on the same day (1am on April 25, Vietnam time). History shows that predictions right after the polls close are often very accurate.

Voters in French overseas territories around the world began voting a day earlier. According to AFP news agency, the first French person to vote on April 23 was a 90-year-old man on the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon off the coast of northern Canada.

Pre-election polls show Mr Macron temporarily ahead of rival Le Pen. However, low voter turnout could sway the outcome.

Outside a polling station in Henin-Beaumont, France, on April 24 – Photo: REUTERS

Reuters news agency quoted Andrée Loeuillet, 69, who lives in the northern French town of Douai, explaining her vote for Mr. Macron: “He has flaws, but he also has qualities. continue (leader.) We’re going through tough times.”

Pascal Pauloin, 59, who lives in the southern town of Souille, said he voted for Le Pen. “Obviously I’m very disappointed. France hasn’t worked well for many years. Mr. Macron has done nothing for the middle class, and the gap between rich and poor widens,” he said.

Voters cast ballots to elect the president in Lyon, France – Photo: REUTERS

Nuns vote to elect the president in Paris, France – Photo: REUTERS

A voter arrives at a polling station in Lyon, France, on April 24 – Photo: REUTERS

Voters line up in front of a polling station in Le Havre, northwest France – Photo: AFP

Voters go to the polls in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory, on April 24 – Photo: AFP

Marine Le Pen casts her vote in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, on April 24 – Photo: AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron mobilizes voters in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, April 21 – Photo: AFP