France prepares to vote for new president amid high security

France is preparing to vote in presidential elections on Sunday, amid high security after a fatal assault on a Paris policeman three days ago.

About 50,000 police and 7,000 soldiers are being deployed around the country after Thursday's attack by a gunman.

Eleven candidates are vying to be the country's next president, with leading candidates spanning the political spectrum from far-left to far-right.

The two with the most votes will go to run-off round in a fortnight's time.

Four candidates are currently seen as being within reach of the presidency: the conservative François Fillon, the far-right leader Marine Le Pen, liberal centrist Emmanuel Macron and the far-left's Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

The



best-known candidates : François Fillon, Benoît Hamon, Marine Le Pen, Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Mélenchon

The candidates have created plenty of debate in the country, all offering dramatically different visions of Europe, immigration, the economy and French identity.

On polling day, extra security measures are in place after Karim Cheurfi, a convicted criminal, shot a police officer in the head on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Cheurfi was killed by security forces and note defending the so-called Islamic State group was found near his body.

National security had been one of the main talking points during the campaigns, but candidates have been accused of exploiting the most recent attack for political gains.