1984 New Caledonian legislative election
Legislative elections were held in New Caledonia on 18 November 1984. They had originally been planned for July, but were postponed due to threats by the Independence Front to boycott and disrupt the vote.[1] Most members of the Front subsequently merged into the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front in September,[2] and proceeded to boycott the elections. As a result, the Rally for Caledonia in the Republic won 34 of the 42 seats. Following the elections, Dick Ukeiwé became President of the Government.
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of New Caledonia |
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Conduct
The elections were marred by violence; several houses, town halls and shops were set on fire, with FLNKS members clashing with security forces. FLNKS also took a French administrator hostage on Lifou Island and occupied a police station in north-east of the territory.[3] On election day 200 Kanaks entered a polling station in Canala and destroyed ballot papers.[3]
Results
Overall voter turnout was just over 50%, but estimated to be only 15% amongst the Kanak community.[3]
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rally for Caledonia in the Republic | 27,851 | 70.14 | 34 | +19 |
| Kanak Socialist Liberation | 2,879 | 7.25 | 6 | New |
| National Front | 2,379 | 5.99 | 1 | New |
| Federation for a New Caledonian Society | 1,748 | 4.40 | 1 | New |
| Seven other parties | 4,439 | 11.29 | 0 | – |
| Invalid/blank votes | 439 | – | – | – |
| Total | 39,735 | 100 | 42 | +6 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 79,271 | 50.13 | – | – |
| Source: Clark[4] | ||||
Elected members
Aftermath
Violence continued after the elections; FLNKS members occupied the police station in Thio on 20 November and held five policemen hostage. Rebels set up a 'Govermment of Kanaky' in early December, headed by Jean-Marie Tjibaou. European settlers in Hienghène killed ten FLNKS militants on 5 December, including two brothers of Tjibaou.[3]
Dick Ukeiwé became President of the Government, heading a ten-member cabinet.[5]
| Position | Member |
|---|---|
| President of the Government | Dick Ukeiwé |
| Minister of Agriculture | Michel Kauma |
| Minister of Culture | Joseph Tidjine |
| Minister of Economy and Finances | Pierre Frogier |
| Minister of Education | Delin Wéma |
| Minister of Health and Social Affairs | Pierre Maresca |
| Minister of Labour | Denis Milliard |
| Minister of Natural Resources | Yves Magnier |
| Minister of Tourism, Transport and Communications | Charles Lavoix |
| Minister of Youth and Sport | Goïne Wamo |
References
- Waiting for the 'unblocking' Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1984, p26
- 131 years on, the FLKNKS Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1984, p27
- French scramble to head off crisis Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1985, pp14–16
- Alan Clark (1987) "Conflict formal and informal: Elections in New Caledonia, 1984–1986" Pacific Studies, volume 10, number 3
- Actes du Gouernement du Territoire Journal officiel de la Nouvelle-Caledonie, 27 November 1984
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