The Social Democratic Party's candidate, present President Tarja Halonen (1st L) accompanied by her husband Pentti Arajarvi (2nd L) meets with her supporters in Helsinki, capital city of Finland, on Jan. 14, 2006.

    HELSINKI, Jan. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Finns went on Sunday to polling stations and cast their votes in a presidential election in which incumbent President Tarja Halonen is the clear favorite.

    Polling stations opened at 9:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) and were to close at 8:00 p.m. (1800 GMT). Reliable results are expected by 10:00 p.m. (2000 GMT).

    Opinion polls showed Halonen, 62 and Finland's first woman president, enjoys a support of up to 55 percent of the electorate, far exceeding seven other candidates.

    Her closest competitors are the Conservative Party's leader Sauli Niinistoe and centrist Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, who are projected to garner about 20 percent and 18 percent of the vote, respectively.

    If Halonen wins as expected, it will be the fifth consecutive victory for the Social Democrats in presidential elections.

    Finland's president is elected by popular vote every six years. Enditem