New Caledonia: French Pacific territory votes on independence

New Caledonia: Voters in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia are taking part in a referendum on whether to remain part of France or become independent.
The vote was promised as part of a deal two decades ago after a violent campaign by separatists from the indigenous Kanak people.
Pro-independence groups have urged Kanak voters to throw off the “shackles of colonial authorities” in Paris.
However, polls suggest a majority of voters will reject independence.
New Caledonia has large deposits of nickel, a vital component in manufacturing electronics, and is seen by France as a strategic political and economic asset in the region.
About 175,000 people are eligible to vote in the territory, east of Australia, where Kanaks make up 39.1% of the population.
French nationalism is strong among the territory’s ethnic Europeans – constituting 27.1% of the population – and observers say even some Kanaks back staying part of France.
The remaining third of the population of New Caledonia’s 268 ,000 inhabitants are also largely said to oppose independence.
The turnout towards the end voting was 73,68% compared to 58.1% at the same point during local elections in 2014, officials said.