Pollsters estimate lower turnout for French presidential runoff compared with 2012

Several polling agencies estimate a lower turnout for Sunday's runoff of the French presidential election, compared with the figure in the 2012 election.

An estimation by research firm Elabe indicates a final turnout of 74 percent, a figure smaller than the 80.35 percent in the runoff vote in 2012.

According to another estimation by Ipsos/Sopra Steria for French media, the final abstention rate for the second round is expected to be 26 percent, highest since 1969.

Meanwhile, the Ifop-Fiducal pollster estimates the abstention rate to be 25 percent, media reported.

The turnout at 17:00 local time (1500 GMT) in the runoff was 65.30 percent, also lower than the figure in 2012, which stood at 71.96 percent, the French interior ministry said.

The French election law bans the publication of any early poll or counting results of the vote before all polling stations are closed.

Preliminary projections of the voting results are expected to be revealed by various sources after 20:00.

The presidential race is between centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron and far-rightist Marine Le Pen.

More than 66,000 polling stations on the French European mainland opened at 08:00 local time (0600 GMT) and are scheduled to close at 20:00 (1800 GMT) in big cities, while the rest will close at 19:00 (1700 GMT).

Nearly 47 million voters are expected to cast their ballots.

French voters in overseas territories casted their votes on Saturday. Endit