Refresh the page manually for updates.
-
Voter turnout set to be lowest since 1969
-
At 5pm turnout was 65.4% (well down on 71.9% in 2012)
-
Crowds starting to arrive at Louvre for Macron’s event
-
High security at Vincennes for Le Pen’s election night event
All photos: AFP -
Result to be announced at 8pm
19:10 – Anarchist protests planned in Paris
There are reports that some anarchist groups are planning a protest against the election result from 8pm tonight when the results are announced.
The protest, which is being called “Night at the barricades round 2” is set to take place in Paris’s 20th arrondissement in the north east near Ménilmontant and comes after the May day protests which descended into violence.
According to the event page “the results of the election aren’t important. Let’s all take the the streets to block the new president”.
Remember that there were clashes with police after the first round vote in Bastille and during May Day rallies.
19:00 – Polling stations close around France
Polling stations are now closed around most of France. Only those in big cities will remain open until 8pm now.
18:55 – What the French president can do
18.45 – What motivates each candidate’s voters?We spoke to Macron and Le Pen’s voters to find out exactly why they were backing their candidate in one or two sentences. Here’s why millions of French people have voted for Marine Le Pen for president.
And 
18: 38 – France divided: How Macron’s and Le Pen’s voters are very different
Emmanuel Macron’s and Marine Le Pen’s voters couldn’t be more different. They represent a divided France, both geographically, socially and most significantly in how they see the future of their country. The presidential runoff vote represents a clash of two very different France’s.
Macron’s and Le Pen’s voters are geographically divided: Macron is popular in the cities and Le Pen in rural areas and small towns.
Geography aside, it’s of course impossible to know for sure exactly who voted for whom.
An Ipsos poll published on April 17th showed that 37 percent of labourers voted Le Pen, 32 percent of low-wage earners, and around a quarter of unemployed people. She also topped the votes for under 24s.
For Macron, a third of high-wage earners put his name in the ballot box, and 30 percent of highly educated voters. He topped the list for those earning €3,000 a month or more in salary.
A deeply divided France: A look at Le Pen’s and Macron’s very different voters
18:28 – More journalists than Parisians
Once these elections are over and the international journalists return home the population of Paris will no doubt drop significantly.
Here’s a look at how many are queuing patiently to get into Emmanuel Macron’s election night tonight at the Louvre.
Source:thelocal.fr