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Overseas votes start French poll Overseas votes start French poll
(about 2 hours later)
The first voting in the French presidential election will begin shortly when polling opens in some of the overseas regions. French citizens from overseas regions have begun voting in the country's presidential election.
The first votes will be cast in Saint Pierre and Miquelon off eastern Canada but voting in mainland France will be on Sunday. The first votes were cast in Saint Pierre and Miquelon off eastern Canada - but voting in mainland France will be on Sunday.
Socialist Segolene Royal is battling conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy.Socialist Segolene Royal is battling conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy.
In final campaigning Ms Royal said her rival's election might spark riots. Mr Sarkozy accused her of verbal violence. In the final day of campaigning on Friday, Ms Royal said her rival's election might spark riots. Mr Sarkozy accused her of verbal violence.
'Brutality''Brutality'
Polling opens at 1000 GMT in Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
Voting also takes place early in French Guiana and the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe to offset problems of time difference.Voting also takes place early in French Guiana and the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe to offset problems of time difference.
Did the televised debate sway many French voters?In picturesDid the televised debate sway many French voters?In pictures
On the last day of campaigning on Friday Ms Royal said that electing Mr Sarkozy could spark riots and violence and that he was a "dangerous choice".On the last day of campaigning on Friday Ms Royal said that electing Mr Sarkozy could spark riots and violence and that he was a "dangerous choice".
"It is my responsibility today to alert people to the risk of [his] candidature with regards to the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country," she said."It is my responsibility today to alert people to the risk of [his] candidature with regards to the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country," she said.
Mr Sarkozy reacted angrily, accusing Ms Royal of breaking "elementary rules of democracy".Mr Sarkozy reacted angrily, accusing Ms Royal of breaking "elementary rules of democracy".
He said he could not understand why Ms Royal had felt the need to resort to "verbal violence".He said he could not understand why Ms Royal had felt the need to resort to "verbal violence".
"I told Ms Royal that politics should be about respect, openness, tolerance, unity. I feel she's just ending with violence, a certain feverishness. France deserves something else.""I told Ms Royal that politics should be about respect, openness, tolerance, unity. I feel she's just ending with violence, a certain feverishness. France deserves something else."
HAVE YOUR SAY None of the candidates are particularly appealing Guillaume, Brussels Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY None of the candidates are particularly appealing Guillaume, Brussels Send us your comments
Ms Royal, a former environment minister who hopes to become the first woman president of France, has made her opponent's divisive character the centre of her campaign, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu, in Paris.Ms Royal, a former environment minister who hopes to become the first woman president of France, has made her opponent's divisive character the centre of her campaign, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu, in Paris.
Centrist Francois Bayrou, defeated in the first round of voting, has said he will not vote for Mr Sarkozy.Centrist Francois Bayrou, defeated in the first round of voting, has said he will not vote for Mr Sarkozy.
The remaining rivals held one, sometimes ill-tempered, TV debate on Wednesday, watched by an estimated 23m people, that left both claiming victory.The remaining rivals held one, sometimes ill-tempered, TV debate on Wednesday, watched by an estimated 23m people, that left both claiming victory.
But Ms Royal was the one who seemed to lose her cool during the debate, while Mr Sarkozy appeared increasingly presidential, our correspondent says.But Ms Royal was the one who seemed to lose her cool during the debate, while Mr Sarkozy appeared increasingly presidential, our correspondent says.
France is electing a successor to Jacques Chirac, 74, who has been president since 1995.France is electing a successor to Jacques Chirac, 74, who has been president since 1995.