‘77% turnout’ in municipal election

926,068 people will stand for election this month - but 64 communes are without a candidate after first-round deadline

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ONE voter in every 49 is a candidate in the upcoming municipal elections, the ministry of interior has revealed.

The deadline for people to apply to be a candidate was last night. In all, 926,068 people are standing for election on March 23.

But, despite the large number of candidates, no one has put themselves forward for election in 64 communes for the first round of voting.

Most are small communities, but one - Gironde-sur-Dropt - is home to more than 1,000 residents.

The ministry said that there may be more applications for the second round.

More than three-quarters of people have said they intend to vote in this month’s elections, according to a Harris Interactive poll for LCP-Assemblée nationale.

A total 77% of respondents say they are "absolutely certain to vote" in the first round of elections. Almost all (90%) said local issues are the most important reason for their vote, with political allegiances (65%) and national issues (48%) lagging some distance behind.

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