1979 New Caledonian legislative election

Early legislative elections were held in New Caledonia on 1 July 1979 after the Government Council was dismissed by the French government and the High Commissioner dissolved the Assembly elected in 1977.[1]

1979 New Caledonian legislative election
New Caledonia
1 July 1979
All 36 seats in Congress
18 seats needed for a majority
PartyLeader % Seats +/–
RPC Jacques Lafleur 40.24 15 +3
Caledonian Union Jean-Marie Tjibaou 34.43 14 -2
FNSC Jean-Pierre Aïfa 17.82 7 New
Politics of New Caledonia

Background

In March 1979 the Government Council of New Caledonia – controlled by the pro-independence Caledonian Union – was dismissed by the French government after failing to vote in favour of a ten-year plan for the territory. High Commissioner Claude Charbonniaud given executive power.[2]

A 10% electoral threshold was introduced for the elections, which was reported by Pacific Islands Monthly to mainly affect the prospects of indigenous and pro-independence parties.[2] As a result, the pro-independence Caledonian Union, Caledonian Socialist Party, Melanesian Progressive Union, Party of Kanak Liberation and United Front of Kanak Liberation formed the Independence Front.

Results
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Rally for Caledonia20,15340.2415+3
Independence Front (UC–PSC–UPM–Palika–FULK)17,24134.4314–2
Federation for a New Caledonian Society8,92517.827New
Caledonian Socialist Federation1,3452.690New
Caledonian and Metropolitan Popular Rally1,0202.040New
Union of Wallisians and Futunians in Caledonia5601.120New
Caledonian Democrat Rally5441.090New
Union for French Democracy2940.590New
Total50,082100.0036+1
Valid votes50,08299.13
Invalid/blank votes4420.87
Total votes50,524100.00
Registered voters/turnout68,27974.00
Source: Juridoc

Elected members
Constituency Member Party Notes
East (7 seats)François BurckIndependence Front (UC)
Yves de VillelongueRally for CaledoniaRe-elected
André GopeaIndependence Front (UPM)Re-elected
Éloi MachoroIndependence Front (UC)Re-elected
Auguste Parawi-ReybasRally for CaledoniaRe-elected
Francis PoadouyIndependence Front (PALIKA)
Jean-Marie TjibaouIndependence Front (UC)Re-elected
Islands (5 seats)Nidoïsh NaisselineIndependence Front (PALIKA)Re-elected
Dick UkeiwéRally for CaledoniaRe-elected
Yann Céléné UregeïIndependence Front (FULK)Re-elected
Édouard WapaéIndependence Front (UC)Re-elected
Yeiwéné YeiwénéIndependence Front (UC)Re-elected
South (17 seats)Christian BoisseryFederation for a New Caledonian Society
Stanley CamerlynckFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyRe-elected (previously UNC in East)
Lionel CherrierFederation for a New Caledonian Society
André CaillardRally for Caledonia
René de Saint-QuentinRally for Caledonia
Georges FaureRally for Caledonia
Melito FinauFederation for a New Caledonian Society
Max FrouinRally for CaledoniaRe-elected (previously MLC)
Jacques LafleurRally for Caledonia
Jean LèquesRally for CaledoniaRe-elected (previously MLC)
Roger LaroqueRally for CaledoniaRe-elected
Petelo ManuofiuaRally for CaledoniaRe-elected
Gérald MeyerFederation for a New Caledonian Society
Jacques MourenRally for CaledoniaRe-elected
Rock PidjotIndependence Front (UC)Re-elected
Marie-Paule ServeRally for CaledoniaRe-elected
Jacques VioletteIndependence Front (PSC)Re-elected
West (7 seats)Jean-Pierre AïfaFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyRe-elected (previously UNC)
Jean DelouvrierRally for CaledoniaRe-elected
Justin GuillemardRally for Caledonia
Gaston MorletFederation for a New Caledonian SocietyRe-elected (previously UD
Gabriel PaïtaIndependence Front (UC)Re-elected
Maurice LenormandIndependence Front (UC)Re-elected
Paul NapoareaIndependence Front (UC)
Source: Congress

References
  1. New Caledonia votes Pacific Islands Monthly, August 1979, p7
  2. Caledonia: HiCom rules Pacific Islands Monthly May 1979, p37
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