PARIS – Voters in France's overseas territories head to the polls as the hard-fought presidential election between incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy and challenger Francois Hollande comes to an end.
Under a quirk of French electoral rules, balloting got under way Saturday in France's embassies and overseas holdings, starting in tiny Saint Pierre and Miquelon — islands south of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic Ocean. Campaigning and the release of poll data have been suspended until the results of the run-off election come in Sunday evening.
The final polls show Sarkozy making up ground on his Socialist challenger — but still suggest a Hollande victory.
Sarkozy predicts a "surprise" and Hollande is urging voters to avoid complacency as the bitter campaign nears its climax, driven by fears about joblessness, immigration and France's economic future.
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