Nice Premium: You have approached the Prefect about the reorganization of the postal services in Nice. Why?
Elodie Jomat: The reorganization implemented by La Poste resulted in the elimination of 44 routes out of 126 in the 06000 area and 18 routes out of 60 in the 06100 area…
The remaining routes, as a consequence, have become oversized, which has led to persistent malfunctions in mail delivery. In the affected areas, mail delivery delays of two, even three weeks are observed. Moreover, La Poste is now receiving over fifty complaint letters per day.
Besides causing inconvenience to residents, these delays are causing severe economic damage to businesses.
This situation is going to worsen since, between April and June, the 06200 and 06300 areas will also be affected by this reorganization, resulting in about forty more routes being eliminated…
Therefore, I contacted the Prefect so that he might use his authority to compel the leadership of La Poste to properly fulfill its public service mission.
NP: We’re talking about delays that span weeks in some neighborhoods. Do you think this could impact the upcoming electoral deadlines?
EJ: Absolutely! I have also approached the Prefect in my capacity as the united left’s candidate (PRG and PS) for the legislative elections in the 3rd district of Alpes-Maritimes.
The next elections will take place amidst this reorganization: for the presidential election, on April 22 and May 6, 2007, and for the legislative elections, on June 10 and 17, 2007.
As stipulated by Article 34 of the electoral code, candidates’ campaign literature must be sent “no later than the Wednesday preceding the first round of voting and, in case of a runoff, the Thursday preceding the second round, to all voters.”
However, if the current delay continues or worsens, it is foreseeable that the voters in Nice will not receive these documents before the day of voting.
In my view, the failure to deliver candidates’ campaign literature will disrupt the proper conduct of these elections and could, especially for the legislative elections, potentially call into question the validity of the results obtained. This has already occurred in a cantonal election that was overturned for this reason (Council of State ruling, Manaud, December 7, 1983)…
NP: What means do you think should be implemented to ensure that mail is delivered properly?
EJ: There’s a very simple thing to do: restore the eliminated routes. It’s clear to everyone that this reorganization is not working!
NP: Finally, do you believe your actions will be successful, and if not, what will you do?
EJ: I will not give up. I will inform residents that it is pointless to send their complaint letters to the management of La Poste: they should write directly to the Prefect!
If he does not take action, which I doubt, we can always reach out to the Minister of the Interior…
Elodie Jomat’s website: www.elodie-jomat.fr
