Gaston Flosse Photo: AFP
The French High Commission in French Polynesia has rejected the candidacy of the veteran politician Gaston Flosse for the municipal elections in two weeks.
This follows a second rejection by the local court of his registration as a voter in Papeete, confirming its earlier ruling that his small unit inside his party's headquarters is not his primary place of abode.
Flosse has appealed the latest rejection and is expected to know this week if he is accepted as a voter and hence as a candidate.
After his first registration attempt failed, he unsuccessfully challenged it in France's highest court last month.
Flosse said the High Commission's declaration showed that the French state wanted to eliminate him from political life.
Flosse, who is 88, wanted to make a political comeback in the municipal elections after being barred from public office for five years because of two corruption convictions.
Registration have closed for the polls which will be held over two consecutive weekends.
Meanwhile, more than 120 lists of candidates have been approved in New Caledonia to contest the elections.
They have been lodged in the 29 communes with more than 1,000 habitants.
Fifty-three lists were lodged in the Northern Province, 51 in the Southern Province and 17 in the Loyalty Islands province.
Registration of lists in communes with fewer than 1000 inhabitants is possible until 7 March.
Municipal elections are open to all voters on the general roll, in difference to the roll for provincial elections which is open to indigenous voters and long-term residents only.