1953 French Oceanian legislative election

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Legislative elections were held in French Oceania on 18 January 1953, the first to the new Territorial Assembly, which replaced the Representative Assembly.[1]

Results[]

The result was a victory for the Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People (RDPT) led by Pouvanaa a Oopa, which won 18 of the 25 seats.[2] The Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance won five seats and the Rally of the French People two; the two parties had run together as the Union for the Defence of the Interests of French Oceania (UDIOF).[3]

Oopa failed to win a seat in Papeete, and subsequently stated that he would complain about election fraud to the French government.[4] Governor René Petitbon organised an official enquiry, which concluded that the allegations were unfounded.[3]

Party or allianceVotes%Seats
Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People15,06251.8818
Union for the Defence of the
Interests of French Oceania
UDSR10,35335.665
RPF2
Independents3,61512.450
Total29,030100.0025
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly[3][5]

By constituency[]

Constituency Elected members Party
Bora Bora, Maupiti Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
East Tahiti Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Gambier and Tuamotu Islands Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Huahine Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Northern Marquesas
Papeete Rally of the French People
Albert Leboucher Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
Martial Iorss Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
Rally of the French People
Peninsula, Moorea, Maiao, Makatea Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
John Teariki[6] Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Raiatea (less Uturoa) Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Rurutu, Rimatara Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
South Marquesas Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Tahaa Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Tuamotu Centre Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Tuamotu East Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Tuamotu West Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Tubuai, Raivavae, Rapa Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Uturoa
West Tahiti Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Source: Assembly of French Polynesia

Aftermath[]

Following the elections, the Assembly convened for the first time on 14 March. , a member of the RDPT, was elected President of the Assembly two days later.[2]

Following a dispute in the Assembly on 10 April, a fight broke out between and . Ilari then challenged Poroi to a duel, which Poroi agreed should take place at the end of the day. However, the Governor broadcast a radio message, banning it from taking place and stationing police at the homes of the two.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ M. Poroi's victory in Tahiti Pacific Islands Monthly, February 1953, p90
  2. ^ a b Tension in French Oceania Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1953, p15
  3. ^ a b c d Lively politics in Tahiti Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1953, p101
  4. ^ Jean-Marc Regnault (2003) Pouvanaa a Oopa: Victime de la raison d’Etat Les documents parlent, p20
  5. ^ Election in Oceania Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1953, p78
  6. ^ John Teariki National Assembly of France
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