Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Temaru group to contest French Polynesia poll

Posted at 01:50 on 04 February, 2013 UTC

The French Polynesian president, Oscar Temaru, has confirmed that his party will contest the election in April and May.

Mr Temaru had earlier left it open whether the pro-independence Union For Democracy would contest the poll because he objected to the electoral system put in place by Paris.

He says while a small group wanted to boycott the election, an overwhelming majority was in favour of fielding a list.

The election will be held in two rounds to choose a territorial assembly for a five-year term.

The anti-independence camp last week saw a merger of small parties with the dominant force after the last election, the To Tatou Aia.

This group’s leaders are in the main former members of the Tahoeraa Huiraatira party.