French Polynesia's territorial election is expected to be held in March and April.
The French overseas territories minister, Victorin Lurel, has told the National Assembly that Paris will closely adhere to the organic law which provides for an election between January and June.
He was speaking after being asked by a French Polynesian member, Jonas Tahuaitu, who in Tahiti belongs to the opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira of Gaston Flosse.
This comes amid calls by the French Polynesian president, Oscar Temaru, to put off the poll until the appeals in the corruption trials involving Flosse have been completed.
Although sentenced to prison in two trials, Flosse's political career has been unperturbed as he has lodged appeals that are widely expected to take years to be heard.
The next election will be held under a new electoral system - the fourth imposed by Paris in eight years in efforts to increase political stability.
The last election was held in February 2008 and saw Flosse become president but he was voted out only weeks into his five-year term.
