Today's first round of presidential elections in France, the battle between Macro and Le Pen

Following a silent election campaign, suppressed amid the uncertainty of the Ukrainian crisis and tangible fears of the economic situation, France today goes to the polls for the first round of presidential elections.

Outgoing President Emmanuel Macro is clearly given as the front round favourite, but his main challenger, Marine Le Pen, is returning to the polls.

About 48 million French people have been summoned today to choose who will rule the country for the next five years.

Who are the candidates?

To be allowed to run for president, candidates must receive 500 signatures from about 42,000 elected officials.

The signatures were to be certified by the Constitutional Council, France's Supreme Court, March 4th.

Twelve candidates have managed to collect many of them to qualify:

Natalia Arthaud (Prayerère anti-capitalist)

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan (Debout la France ) right)

Yannick Jadot (Europe Eclogite Les Verts gren)

Anne Hidalgo (Social Socialist Party)

Jean Lassalle (Résistons ) Independent)

Marine Le Pen (Resemble National Far right)

Emmanuel Macro ( La République en Marche écrist)

Jean- Luc Mélenchon (Union Populitaire racal left)

Valérie Pécresse (Les Républicains é Conservative)

Philippe Poutou (Nouveau Anticapitalist Party)

Fabienne Roussel (Communist French Party)

Eric Zemmour (Reconquête far right)