INTL French local election annulled

The French government has annulled the election of Franz Gumbs as leader of the local government of French St Martin.



Mr. Gumbs was elected in August last year under a new constitutional arrangement with France.



The decision followed an investigation into claims of irregularities on the day of the election.



The allegations were first leveled by opposition councilor, Guillaume Arnell.



Mr. Arnell claimed that Mr. Gumbs had what appeared to be ballot papers with his name imprinted on them before the day of election.



The ruling on Good Friday brings to two, the number of people whose position as president of the local council of French St Martin has been annulled by Paris since the elections last August.