Tahiti's Flosse fails to register as Papeete voter

9:55 am on 12 December 2019

French Polynesia's capital has rejected the voter registration of veteran politician Gaston Flosse as he attempts a political comeback after being disbarred for five years over two corruption convictions.

Gaston Flosse

Gaston Flosse Photo: AFP

The mayor of Papeete has written to the 88-year-old former president, saying his application was flawed on all relevant accounts.

The letter said Flosse had made no financial contribution to the town and had failed the residency requirements.

Last week, Flosse said he wanted to contest next year's municipal election in Papeete because he was done with Pirae where he had previously stood and been mayor.

In June, he and the current mayor of Pirae and president of French Polynesia Edouard Fritch were convicted and fined for abusing public funds.

Flosse was also given a suspended two-year jail sentence and had been banned from holding a public office.

Edouard Fritch and Gaston Flosse in 2013

Edouard Fritch and Gaston Flosse in 2013 Photo: RNZI Walter Zweifel

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