French Polynesia's ruling Union For Democracy has decided to boycott this week's pre-election television debates.
Early elections for a new 57-member assembly have been ordered by Paris in a bid to increase political stability, with two rounds of voting later this month and in February.
The Union For Democracy says these polls are being organised against the will of a majority of the territorial assembly which voted against the election and its associated reforms.
It says a French representative should have joined the televised debate to answer questions as the French state constantly interferes in the affairs of French Polynesia.
In the debate on TNTV, the main opposition party was not represented by its leader.
