French Polynesia election dates approved

The next French Polynesian election is set to go ahead in two rounds in April and May.

Tentatively, the French High Commission has approved April 22 and May 6 as dates to elect a new 57-member territorial assembly for a five-year term.

The dates are expected to be officially confirmed in December.

Electoral lists have to be drawn up by late March, with campaging starting in April.

A list has to secure 12.5 per cent of votes in the first round to make it to the run-off in May.

In the last election in 2013, the Tahoeraa Huiraatira of Gaston Flosse won 38 of the 57 seats.

However, after he was removed from office in 2014 because of a corruption conviction, the party gradually lost about half of its members who mostly joined Flosse's successor as president, Edouard Fritch.

Mr Fritch formed the Tapura Huiraatira which in coalition with another anti-independence party has a slim majority.

Flosse said he had been advised by his lawyer that he could stand again next year because his ineligibility sentences could not be cumulated.

 

Photo: RNZ The French Polynesia parliament building