New Caledonia polls open in first local vote in the French territory since 2019
Election will determine balance of power in New Caledonia before fresh negotiations with France on the territory’s status
TL;DR
- New Caledonia is holding provincial elections for the first time since 2019.
- The election determines the balance of power before new negotiations with France on the territory's status.
- Approximately 192,000 voters will elect 76 councillors for three provincial assemblies.
- Fifty-four elected councillors will form the territory's congress, the main governing institution.
- The congress will elect members to the executive branch, known as the collegial government.
- The election follows the main pro-independence group's rejection of the Bougival Accord.
- Three previous referendums favored remaining part of France, but independence movements retain strong support.
- A recent law expanded the electoral roll to include about 10,575 "native-born" residents.
- The election occurs more than two years after deadly riots in 2024.
- France has deployed law enforcement officers and promised negotiations on the territory's future will resume next month.