24 Oct 2008

French Polynesia's election had no legal basis according to French court documents

11:07 am on 24 October 2008

French court documents show that there was no basis in law for this year's early general election in French Polynesia.

France organised the polls despite last December's refusal by the territorial government of Oscar Temaru to officially publish the revised autonomy statute drawn up by the former junior minister in charge of overseas territories, Christian Estrosi.

Walter Zweifel reports.

"Responding to a complaint, the French high commission in Papeete confirmed to the French supreme court last month that none of the relevant laws or decision by the constitutional court has been published in the official journal of French Polynesia."

But for a law to be valid it has to be published. The complaintant, Rene Hoffer, who in 2004 caused a stir by declaring himself president, says this makes the election void. He has now been asked to submit his reply to the French high commission's document which suggests it knew that elections could not be held and that the statute has not been changed.