Low turnout for second round of Presidential election

Voting is drawing to a close in the second round of the 2017 Presidential election - and experts are predicting a historically low turnout.

The interior ministry reported that turnout at 5pm was 65.3%, much lower than the 71.96% at the same time in the 2012 poll, but in line with expectations.

The final abstention rate is expected to be between 25% and 27% - which would be the highest abstention rate in the second round since 1969, when voters faced a choice between centre-right candidates Georges Pompidou and Alain Poher. Then, it has been reported, the rate of abstention was 31.1%.

French news broadcaster C News has suggested that a third round of voting may be necessary, if neither candidate reaches the required 50% mark to win the election out right - but this scenario has not been widely reported elsewhere.

The Connexion will report on the result as it is announced shortly after 8pm, French time.