French Polynesian legislative election, 2013

Legislative elections were held in French Polynesia on 21 April and 5 May 2013.^[1] The result was a victory for the Tahoera'a Huiraatira party, which won 38 of the 57 seats in the Assembly.

Electoral system

The election was held using a two round system. In the first round, parties were required to cross a threshold of 12.5% in order to participate in the second round,^[1] although parties receiving between 5% and 12.5% were allowed to form an alliance for the second round with a party that did qualify.^[2] In the second round, 38 seats are allocated by proportional representation, with the party receiving the most votes gaining an additional 19 seats.^[1]

Campaign

The Union for Democracy alliance was continued for the elections, consisting of Aia Api, Here Ai'a, Tavini Huiraatira, Tapura Amui No Raromatai and Tapura Amui No Te Faatereraa Manahune – Tuhaa Pae. A new alliance, A Tia Porinetia, was formed for the election, which included To Tatou Aia and several smaller parties.^[1]

After being knocked out in the first round, Emile Vernier, leader of the Rally for the Respect of the Polynesian Population, gave his backing to A Tia Porinetia.^[3]

Results

Party	First round		Second round
	Votes	%	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Tahoera'a Huiraatira	51,316	40.16	62,340	45.11	38	+28
Union for Democracy	30,781	24.09	40,441	29.26	11	–8
A Tia Porinetia	25,453	19.92	35,421	25.63	8	New
All Polynesians	7,293	5.71
Ia Tura to'u Femus	4,553	3.56
Te Ara Ti'a	3,956	3.10
Te Hiti Tau Api	3,079	2.41
Rally for the Respect of the Polynesian Population	885	0.69
Amuitahiraa Huiraatira	452	0.35
Invalid/blank votes	1,621	–	1,412	–	–	–
Total	129,389	100	139,614	100	57	0
Registered voters/turnout	195,835	66.07	191,799	72.79	–	–
Source: Tahiti News, Tahiti News

References

1. Election Profile IFES
2. Tahoeraa dominates first round of French Polynesia election RZNI, 22 April 2013
3. Tahiti’s Vernier backs A Tia Porinetia RZNI, 1 May 2013