French voters began casting their votes on Sunday in the presidential runoff contest between conservative Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal, CNN reported. Results of the election are expected to be announced at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT). On Saturday, polling stations opened in French Guiana, the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe and the overseas territory of St. Pierre and Miquelon off Canada's east coast. About 1 million French nationals outside France could vote a day early in a move intended to boost turnout. The rest of France's 44.5 million electors vote on Sunday.
