Low turnout in France election: poll

Voters in the French election appear to be turning out at a lower rate than previous polls.

Turnout figures for the second round of the French presidential election show a 65.30 per cent participation rate in early evening, the Interior Ministry says, confirming earlier reports.

That level on Sunday was lower than at the same stage of polling day in the past three presidential elections.

Those participation rate figures compared with a turnout of around 72 per cent at the same time in 2012, a 75.1 per cent turnout in 2007, and a 67.6 per cent turnout in 2002.

Voter surveys show that it is unclear what the turnout rate could mean for the outcome.