<p>In this edition: polling booth selfies sweep France's local elections; web users in New Zealand submit ideas for a new national flag; and a Ukrainian daredevil in some death defying stunts.</p><br />POLLING BOOTH SELFIES SWEEP FRENCH LOCAL ELECTIONS<br />Obviously inspired by their Dutch counterparts who inundated the web with selfies last Wednesday as they cast their ballot in the Netherlands’ local elections, French voters have also had their smart phones on hand to immortalize their moment in the polling booth during the first round of France's local elections.<br />French web users have been sharing pics holding their voter ID card or the envelope containing their voting slip, to social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, under the #selfisoloir hashtag which translates as polling booth selfie.<br />It`s not forbidden to do so but the government does advise against it as it could compromise the “secret ballot” principle. The Huffington Post spoke to France's Interior Ministry ahead of the local elections and was told posting a polling booth selfie could cast doubt on whether the person`s voting choice has been influenced; have they been pressured into voting in such a way and posting the proof online.<br />But others say it should be encouraged as it prompts others to get out and vote. in a bid to combat abstention, the “Jeune`xprime” group which is based in Amiens has been urging young voters across the city to share photos as they cast their ballot. <br />A NEW FLAG FOR NEW ZEALAND?<br />New Zealanders will soon get to vote on whether to change their national flag. Ever since Prime Minister John Key announced the plans to hold a referendum, redesigning the flag has become a hot t... Go on reading on our web site.<br /><br />Visit our website:<br />http://www.france24.com<br /><br />Like us on Facebook:<br />https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English<br /><br />Follow us on Twitter:<br />https://twitter.com/France24_en
