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 | Votes | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People | 15,062 | 51.9 | 18 |
| Union for the Defence of the Interests of French Oceania | 10,353 | 35.7 | 7 |
| Independents | 3,615 | 12.5 | 0 |
| Total | 29,030 | 100 | 25 |
| Source: Pacific Islands Monthly[3][5] | |||
By constituency
Aftermath
Following the elections, the Assembly convened for the first time on 14 March. Jean-Baptiste Céran-Jérusalémy, 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 Noël Ilari and Alfred Poroi. 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
- ^ M. Poroi's victory in Tahiti Pacific Islands Monthly, February 1953, p90
- ^ a b Tension in French Oceania Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1953, p15
- ^ a b c d Lively politics in Tahiti Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1953, p101
- ^ Jean-Marc Regnault (2003) Pouvanaa a Oopa: Victime de la raison d’Etat Les documents parlent, p20
- ^ Election in Oceania Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1953, p78
- ^ John Teariki National Assembly of France
