France's highest administrative court has rejected a petition by the French Polynesian opposition to annul the result of the territorial election in May last year.
The court ruled that the challenge had been received on May the 29th, which was eight days too late for it to be considered.
The challenge by Oscar Temaru put into question the validity of the ballot paper of the Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party, because it had its campaign slogan printed on it.
Photo: RNZ
The court has made no comment on the substance of the complaint.
In an immediate response, Mr Temaru's party has questioned the decision, saying it sent the complaint from Tahiti by post on time and will therefore seek a revision for what it considers to be a procedural error at the court in France.
It also questions why it has taken the court more than a year to communicate that the letter was received too late to be considered.
The Tahoeraa won an absolute majority in the election.
