英语文摘:Runoff election starts in French overseas territories

PARIS, May 5 (Xinhua) -- The second round election that will decide the next French president between Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande has started in overseas departments and territories on Saturday.

Around 1 million overseas voters are expected to cast their ballots during the day, following the lead of some 4,923 registered voters in the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, off the west coast of Canada.

The result of these early votes will be announced after Sunday's runoff.

The first round election on April 22 has seen Socialist candidate Hollande beat incumbent President Sarkozy with more than 28 percent of the votes, while the latter gathered 27 percent.

Latest polls by Friday night when the election campaigns officially ended showed support for Sarkozy slightly rose to 48 percent, while his challenger still enjoying a 4-point lead.

Runoff election in some 85,000 polling stations across the country is scheduled to begin at 8 am local time (GMT 0600) on Sunday.

France will see its next president elected after all the voting booths close at 8 pm local time (GMT 1800).