DHAKA: France is set to vote in the first round of regional elections, the first electoral challenge since the Paris attacks, which killed 130 people.

The elections are viewed as a test of public support for the government's response to the attacks on 13 November, reports the BBC.

The far-right National Front (FN) is hoping to make gains and the centre-right Les Republicains party led by former President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to win a majority of regions.

The second round is on 13 December.

Polls open at 08:00 (07:00 GMT) and close at 20:00 (19:00 GMT), with some 44 million people eligible to vote.

BDST:  1008 HRS, DEC 06, 2015
RS