An election is to be held for a new mayor on the French Polynesian atoll of Makemo in the Tuamotu archipelago after the French state removed him from office.
The mayor, Tuhiva Mairoto, was relieved of all his duties by a decree signed by the French prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, for alleged mismangement.
Mr Mairoto had been suspended twice for serious negligence.
He was elected in 2001 under the banner of Gaston Flosse's Tahoeraa Huiraatira which is the main opposition party.
