First round of polling to elect French republic president held

Puducherry, Apr 22 (UNI) The first-round of polling to elect the president of the French Republic was held here today.

A good number of French citizens residing in and around Puducherry turned up and exercised their franchise at the polling booth set up in the French consulate here. The polling which commenced at 0800 hours will end at 1800 hours today. Apart from four polling booths in the consulate one each were set up in Karaikal and Chennai to facilitate the voters there.

About 5,252 French citizens are residing in the union territory and other Southern states, out of which 282 would cast their votes in France, according to consulate sources here.

The second round of polling if necessary, would be held on May 6. If any one of the 12 candidates in the fray get more than 50 per cent votes, then there will be no need to have the second round of polling, the sources added.

UNI