Transcript
TEVAI HAUMANI: Most of the small groups, the small parties have the same problem, especially where the mayors of a small town and the islands around Tahiti, and of course in my group I had the same problem. I would say I have an important problem. The mayors in some areas, they called my candidates and asked them not to follow me. They can follow other groups, bigger groups, not me not Tevai Haumani. You can choose Tahoeraa Huiraatira, Tavini Huiraatira or Tapura Huiraatira, but not Tevai Haumani. So I have the difficulty to get their formal papers.
WALTER ZWEIFEL: You have not named any politician nor any community, you're just saying there are different mayors in different places. Why are you not saying who these people are?
TH: Because I have profound respect for my candidates. They would have real concern and problems with their jobs or their contracts because some of them are independent, some of them have asked for a house from the government. If they shared their names publicly they would have real problems. So I asked President Macron to protect them by law. And afterwards we will receive this protection, this guarantee, these people will testify about everything. Here in Tahiti everyone will tell you that this constraint is not only for today or this election, they noted this situation from years and years ago. Apparently it was really the first person to say we need a real correction in my country. I can testify about it but I need a guarantee from the law from President Macron.
WZ: You also said you would fight this with whatever means possible because you were turned down on the basis that your application was late but you said you have other means to pursue this. What are they?
TH: You have to know that I had 73 names and candidates. As I told you I didn't receive from some mayors and their services the deputation and so I went to the haut commissariat [High Commission] to ask what can I do because these people didn't receive the whole documentation, it was not complete. I have the names but not all the documentation. And so I said the government, the mayors, some employers put pressure on my candidates. As soon as they have protection, they will testify about everything and I'm pretty sure all the people will come and say 'yes I have something to share with you to change this situation.'
WZ: Have you had any response from the High Commissioner to your concerns?
TH: He was the first to send me an answer regarding this situation. he was on the fact that I was at their office late but he didn't read carefully about the pressure on my candidates. What kind of system, electoral rules we have in this country if those people don't have any freedom to express themselves, to think or to vote. What kind of system do you have if these people cannot say anything because they will lose their job or contract? I asked him. The only answer was 'you are late, we are sorry to say that we cannot help you'. It wasn't a problem for me. I had another request in the tribunal administratif, the administrative court, and they have the same response but also they said I have to go to the penal court.
WZ: To paraphrase you, you approached the High Commissioner who by law is responsible for the integrity of the electoral process and you told the High Commission there were these irregularities being committed at the lower administrative level and he ignored your complaint and said you were late.
TH: Absolutely. So I will send another request as soon as possible - in French we say Conseil constitutionnel - I will send a request to them to answer to this situation.