France appears certain to deliver a resounding "non" to the proposed European Union constitution today, plunging French and EU politics into deep crisis.

A French "non" would, in effect, kill the constitution stone dead.

Voters in French overseas territories from Polynesia to the Caribbean cast their ballots last night, ahead of mainland electors, to say "oui" or "non" to Europe's groundbreaking new constitution.

With opinion surveys predicting a French rejection of the charter, the first to vote were residents of St Pierre and Miquelon - a group of rugged, wind-swept fishing islands south of Newfoundland, Canada.

Other territories voting ahead of mainland France include Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, and Tahiti and New Caledonia in the South Pacific.

If polls prove right, France will be the first country to vote down the constitution designed to strengthen the European Union.

The latest survey gave the "no" camp a 52 per cent lead over the "yes" camp's 48pc.

A French rejection of the constitution would throw Europe's forward momentum into disarray, especially if the Dutch follow France's lead in their referendum.

All 25 EU countries must approve the charter, either in parliament or by referendum, for it to take effect as planned on November 1, 2006. On Friday, Germany became the ninth country to approve it.

"The campaign is over, and maybe it was time," said Liberation newspaper in an editorial, describing "months of debate and controversy, invectives and rifts".

The vote is not split along party lines, and disparate bands of politicians have lined up on either side.

The "no" supporters include the Communists and the extreme-right National Front of Jean-Marie Le Pen.

Ultimately, today's result could hinge on the turnout and on voters who either were undecided, hesitant or not telling pollsters their stance - a substantial pool, more than 20pc of people surveyed in various polls.

Many say they are confused by the 448-clause document and plan to decide last-minute.

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