France's presidential candidates wound up their campaigning on Friday, without the least clue of the results of Sunday's vote.

All campaigning and media coverage have to stop at midnight Friday, allowing voters to reflect on their choice before the polls open on Sunday morning.

The opinion polls put right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal neck and neck, followed by centrist Francois Bayrou and far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen.

But as almost 40 percent of the voters are still undecided, results of Sunday's first round are all too unpredictable.

If none of the 12 candidates could get over 50 percent of the vote -- which may probably be the case, a second round will be held on May 6 for the two leading candidates.

The presidential elections this year is seen to be one of the most tied in French history.

In 2002 elections, the nation was struck when Le Pen entered the second round together with incumbent President Jacques Chirac.

Analysts, however, believe that Le Pen would not stun the nation again this year. Bayrou is seen to stand a chance in the first round.

Sarkozy will has to face a tough situation either against Bayrou or Royal in the run-off as supporters of the two may join forces in the second round.

Former Socialist prime minister Michel Rocard has called for a coalition of Royal and Bayrou even in the first round. But his suggestion was turned down by both candidates.

This year's presidential elections in France deserves world attention as the results will have a bearing in both European Union affairs and world politics.

Source: Xinhua