New Caledonia polls open in first local vote in the French territory since 2019

Polls opened in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia on Sunday for the archipelago’s first provincial elections since 2019, after the vote was delayed as talks stalled over its political future. The election, initially planned for 2024, will determine the balance of power in New Caledonia ahead of fresh negotiations with France on the territory’s status, with independence remaining the defining political issue. About 192,000 voters will elect 76 councillors for three provincial assemblies – 40 in the South Province, 22 in the North Province and 14 in the Loyalty Islands. Fifty-four of those elected will become members of the Pacific archipelago’s congress, the territory’s main governing institution and the only body authorised to pass local laws. Members of congress will then elect up to 11 members to the executive branch known as the collegial government. The elections come after the main pro-independence group rejected a deal with France intended to bring stability to the overseas territory. The so-called Bougival Accord would have created a Caledonian state and established a Caledonian nationality enshrined in the French constitution, but would have scrapped any future referendums on independence. Three referendums held in 2018, 2020 and 2021 returned majorities in favour of remaining part of France, although pro-independence groups boycotted the third vote, which was held during the Covid pandemic. …