French Guiana: Legislative elections March 11 /update 1

Event

The second round of special legislative elections will take place in the overseas department of French Guiana on Sunday, March 11. The two leading candidates from the first round - held on March 4 - will be taking part. The current front-runner, from President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist La République en Marche (LRM) party, will face off against the candidate from the left-wing France Insoumise party. Associated political rallies and protests are possible, including after the results are announced.

Context

This make-up election, for French Guiana’s 2nd constituency, was called for after the results of the previous election, held in June 2017, were annulled due to the fact that two polling stations in the town of Maripasoula were missing the necessary electoral officials. The LRM candidate had come out on top in the now-annulled 2017 vote.

The 2nd constituency is made up of the cantons of Iracoubo, Kourou, Macouria, Mana, Maripasoula, Montsinéry-Tonnegrande, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, and Sinnamary.

Advice

Individuals in French Guiana are advised to avoid demonstrations as a precaution, as well as polling stations on election day.