1953 French Oceanian legislative election

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

French Polynesia
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
French Polynesia

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 People15,06251.918
Union for the Defence of the Interests of French Oceania10,35335.77
Independents3,61512.50
Total29,03010025
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly[3][5]

By constituency
Constituency Elected members Party
Bora Bora, MaupitiPierre HunterDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
East TahitiPaul BouzerDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Amaru Terii TepaDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Gambier and Tuamotu IslandsCalixte JouetteDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
HuahineTautu OopaDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Northern MarquesasRaymond Gendron
PapeeteWalter GrandRally of the French People
Albert LeboucherDemocratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
Martial IorssDemocratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
Alfred PoroiDemocratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
Franck RichmondRally of the French People
Peninsula, Moorea, Maiao, MakateaCharles LehartelDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
John Teariki[6]Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Raiatea (less Uturoa)Gaston DeaneDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Rurutu, RimataraMatani MooroaDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
South MarquesasHenri FrebaultDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
TahaaAriiura MaraeaDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Tuamotu CentreHenri AumeranDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Tuamotu EastRopa ColombelDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Tuamotu WestJean AlexandreDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Tubuai, Raivavae, RapaNoël IlariDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
UturoaMarcel Tixier
West TahitiPierre GarbuttDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
René-Raphaël LagardeDemocratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Source: Assembly of French Polynesia

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
  1. M. Poroi's victory in Tahiti Pacific Islands Monthly, February 1953, p90
  2. Tension in French Oceania Pacific Islands Monthly, April 1953, p15
  3. 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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