PUDUCHERRY: After the LS polls, Puducherry is gearing up for the French consular elections to be conducted by French consulate for Puducherry consular constituency comprising Puducherry, Mahe, Karaikal, Yanam and Chennai on May 25 to elect three consular councillors.
The elections, which aim at electing a representative for French citizens living abroad, is being held for the first time by the French government, to ensure a proximity representation in their constituencies.
These representatives will be elected for a period of six years and will be based in the constituency from where they were elected. In total, there are 130 consular constituencies world wide which will elect 443 councillors. The consular councillors could be consulted on any issues concerning the French citizens in the constituency, including social protection, employment, security and vocational training abroad.
The groups contesting for the elections are required to have both men and women members belonging to either a political/non-political association or independents. In Puducherry 42 candidates are in the fray for three posts of consular councillors.
While opposition Union for a Popular Movement (UPM) party has fielded six candidates in the group led by Siva Pradipane, the ruling Socialist Party has not fielded candidate under its election symbol, after the party’s debacle in the municipal elections in France. However, its party men here are contesting as independents.
The other contesting groups include South India French citizens Association led by Alavandane Ramakichenane, Bichat led list, Cannabirane led list, Soucila led list, Maries-Antoinette Emmanuelle led list and Vajoumany Shankar led list.
There are a total of 4,777 voters in the Puducherry consular constituency. If any of the groups secured more than 51 per cent votes, then the first two candidates would be elected councillors. The third one elected is based on proportionate representation system based on the votes polled. However, if no group secures more than 51 per cent votes, then the representatives would be elected through the proportionate representation system.
The campaigning is gaining full stream in Puducherry and candidates have circulated their electoral promises through pamphlets as well as election meetings in Puducherry.