13 Jan 2007

Opening of electoral reform debate in French Polynesia postponed until Friday

6:33 am on 13 January 2007

A lack of assembly members forced the French Polynesia Assembly Speaker, Philip Schyle, to postpone the opening of a debate on reforming Tahiti's electoral voting system to Friday local time.

Tahitipresse reports that only 27 of the 57 assembly members were present yesterday, but 29 members are required for a quorum.

The largest group of absentees were members of the opposition Union for Democracy Coalition led by Oscar Temaru, whose government was toppled by a vote of no confidence last month..

There were also four absentees from the new government of President Gaston Tong Sang.