French Guiana: Legislative elections Sunday, March 4

Event

Special legislative elections will take place in the overseas department of French Guiana on Sunday, March 4. Eight candidates will be taking part; a (likely) second round will be held on March 11 if necessary. 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. Associated political rallies and protests are possible, including after the results are announced.

Context

The two favored candidates come from President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist LREM party (La République en Marche) and from Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s left-wing France Insoumise party. The LREM 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 days.