1958 French Polynesian constitutional referendum

A referendum on the new constitution of France was held in French Polynesia on 28 September 1958 as part of a wider referendum held across the French Union. The new constitution would see the country become part of the new French Community if accepted, or result in independence if rejected. It was approved by 64.40% of voters.Frankreich, 28. September 1958 : Verfassung Direct Democracy Campaign Some members of the Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People (RDPT), which had been removed from power by Governor Camille Bailly fr in April 1958, backed a 'no' vote. Government officials restricted campaigning by opponents of the new constitution, and in some outlying islands, voters were unaware that 'no' was an option.Pouvanaa and 22 Others Arrested Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1958, pp19–20 Results The result saw 64% of voters vote in favour of the constitution. However, Pacific Islands Monthly noted that it was thought by some that 'no' would have won had the RDPT been allowed to campaign properly. 16196 8952 99 30950 Direct Democracy Aftermath Following the referendum, there was civil unrest in the island of Tahiti, with RDPT supporters starting fires with molotov cocktails on 10–11 October. As a result of the violence, RDPT leader Pouvanaa a Oopa and 22 supporters were arrested. Oopa was subsequently convicted of arson and exiled to France. The conviction was quashed by the Court of Revision in 2018 after new evidence showed that French police had fabricated evidence or extracted it by threats of violence, and that the Governor had reported Pouvanaa's arrest before the fires had even been set.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/369485/french-court-quashes-conviction-of-tahitian-separatist-leader French court quashes conviction of Tahitian separatist leader RNZ 26 October 2018 25 July 2021https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2018/10/25/l-ancien-depute-polynesien-pouvana-a-a-oopa-innocente-soixante-ans-apres_5374377_823448.html L’ancien député polynésien Pouvana’a a Oopa innocenté soixante ans après Le Monde fr 25 October 2018 25 July 2021 References Category:1950s in French Polynesia Category:1958 in the French Union French Polynesia French Polynesia Category:Referendums in French Polynesia Category:Constitutional referendums French Polynesia