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.
Trending
- Cleaners are the most important people of our society: Rai Muhammad Akbar
- Javed Badhanvi presides over an important meeting regarding the resettlement of 1989 refugees
- Illegal encroachments will not be tolerated under any circumstances: CEO Syed Ali Irfan Razvi
- Annual Siraj Al-Manira Conference holds at Masjid Hayat-ul-Nabi, Oldham, 2024.
- EKKE Rahman left Manchester on April 21, to reach Nepal, and after he will leave for Pakistan
- LIIBS 7th Edition, Unites Stakeholders for Collaborating for Growth
- Gwadar under water
- Broken Wings by Kahlil Gibran