13 Aug 2008

French high commissioner in French Polynesia cancels engagements as polls loom

1:52 pm on 13 August 2008

The French high commissioner in Papeete, Adolphe Colrat, says he won't take part in public events of interests to the selected voters in the French senate election despite this week's launch of the election campaign.

A statement says this is to avoid fuelling any unnecessary controversy.

As a result, a planned visit to Rangiroa this week has been cancelled.

Nearly 700 elected officials are allowed to choose the territory's two senators next month.

The French electoral law has set the start of the campaign for August the 10th but candidates cannot register before September the 1st.