Voting started in France's overseas territories on Saturday for the first round of the presidential elections which are expected to be tied.

Polling stations open at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) on Sunday in mainland France. First results are expected when the stations close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Some 5,000 voters in the tiny Atlantic islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon off Canada were the first to cast their ballots.

Voters in Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and French Polynesia, as well as expatriates living in the Americas, were to follow.

Campaigning stopped by midnight Friday to allow voters to reflect on their choice. With millions of voters were still hesitant by Friday, Sunday's poll is seen to be one of the least predictable in history.

According to polls released before the campaign ban and media blackout, right-wing Nicolas Sarkozy was still leading, but almost neck and neck with Socialist Segolene Royal.

Although Sarkozy and Royal were tipped to enter the second round on May 6, but a "Sarko-Sego" scenario is not guaranteed as centrist Francois Bayrou, third in opinion polls, may turn out to be a black horse.

Far right veteran Jean-Marie Le Pen, who surprised the nation in 2002 presidential elections by making to the second round with Jacques Chirac, may not stun the nation again, analysts believe.

Eight other candidates are also contending, but none of them have the chance of entering the second round.

Under electoral rules, if none of the candidates can get over 50 percent of the vote in the first round -- which is probably the case this year, the two leading candidates qualify for the run-off.

Source: Xinhua