Low turnout likely for election today

POLLING stations are open across France today - except in Paris and Lyon - as French voters take part in the first round of the departmental elections.

Early estimates suggest the biggest winner in today's poll will be apathy, with surveys suggesting an abstention rate that could be close to 60%.

In one recent study, a third of respondents said they did not know when the elections were taking place or what they were for.

France's main right-wing opposition party, the UMP, is expected to win control of 30 to 40 departmental councils - and all eyes are on the Var, Vaucluse, Aisne and Pas-de-Calais which could switch to Front National control.

Residents in central Paris are not voting today - as the French capital is both a commune and a department and the local elections there were held last year. The Lyon metropole region is also not taking part for a similar reason.

Some rural mayors are threatening to delay the vote count this evening in protest at changes to how the "cantons" that make up a department are drawn up.

Last year, the number of cantons was cut from 4,000 to 2,000 by governmental decree. Some mayors are complaining that this means they have a long journey to make this evening to reach the nearest counting station - and that no measures have been taken to allow for this.

A second round of voting takes place next Sunday. Only French citizens can take part in departmental elections.