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 ballots¹ 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 Socialist² candidate Hollande beat incumbent³ 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).

1 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 socialist   

n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的

参考例句：

• China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。
• His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。

3 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。