Mr Macron, a pro-EU centrist, is firmly ahead of Ms Le Pen in the polls - though she hopes to upset the establishment with a shock result similar to the Brexit vote.
The first round of the 2017 French presidential election was held on 23 April 2017. As no candidate won a majority, a run-off election between the top two candidates, Emmanuel Macron of En Marche! and Marine Le Pen of the National Front (FN), holds today 7 May 2017. Incumbent president François Hollande of the Socialist Party (PS) was eligible to run for a second term, but declared on 1 December 2016 that he would not seek reelection.
This election marks a new phase in French politics with for the first time neither of the main parties - the socialists and the republicans - having a candidate in the run-off.
Mr Macron, a liberal centrist, is pro-business and a strong supporter of the European Union (EU), while Ms Le Pen campaigned on a France-first, anti-immigration programme. She wants France to abandon the euro in the domestic economy, and hold a referendum on France's EU membership.
Polls suggest Mr Macron will win the vote, but analysts have said high abstention rates could damage his chances.
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Written & Edited by: Endy Edeson
Photo News Editor: Endy Edeson
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Endy Edeson
@Nwafor: Anti-EU campaigners are also holding sway with LE PEN. So, anything can happen. Remember, Trump and Hillary