The French have begun voting on Sunday, April 24, in an election that will decide whether the current pro-European Union president, Emmanual Macron, will continue for another term or be defeated by Eurosceptic Marine Le Pen.

Recent polls have given Macron a slight boost, and analysts have said that Le Pen – despite her efforts to soften tones and image – has remained unpopular with a significant portion of voters.

But Le Pen’s surprise victory cannot be ruled out, given the large number of undecided voters.

Although the polls do not give a majority to any candidate, the election will depend on voters who are anxiously weighing the situation of an extreme right-wing presidency to the outrage that exists for Macron’s current presidency.

If Le Pen wins, it would be shocking just as when the British decided to leave the European Union.

The ballot boxes are open since 08:00 and will close at 20:00.

The first exit-polls are expected to be released shortly after polls close.

“Each of them has major shortcomings,” Bernard Sananes said in one of the polls, reports the news agency, Reuters.

“Emmanuel Macron is considered arrogant by more than one in two voters and Marine Le Pen continues to be scary for half of them.”

Macron, 44, who won a race with the same rival five years ago, has warned of a “civil war” if he wins Le Pen.

Le Pen’s policies – 53 years old – include a ban on veiling Muslim women in public.