New Caledonia Votes Against Independence at Second Referendum
New Caledonia held its second referendum on independence on Sunday 4 October. The ‘Non’ vote recorded 53.26% of the votes whilst the ‘Oui’ camp received 46.74%. The referendum marked a 3-point increase for the Yes vote compared with 2018. At the ballot box, voters were asked the same question as the last referendum: “Do you want New Caledonia to attain full sovereignty and become independent?”
Of the 180,799 eligible voters enrolled on the special electoral role, voting participation reached a record high of 85.64%, up from 81% in 2018. This resulted in 81,503 votes for ‘Non’, with 71,533 votes for ‘Oui’, a difference of 9,970 votes, with 25,881 people abstaining.
The North Province and Loyalty Islands recorded a majority Yes vote of 77.8% and 84.3% respectfully, with 70.9% of South Province voters in favour of the No. The Yes vote increased in 32 of the 33 communes throughout New Caledonia.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, welcome the decision by New Caledonia with, “humility” and “gratitude”. President Macron also said that it was a, “mark of confidence in the republic”.
Under the Nouméa Accord signed in 1998, a third and final referendum can be held in 2022 if is approved by Congress in the coming six months. The Overseas Minister for the Republic of France, Sebastien Lecornu, will arrive in New Caledonia this week trip to facilitate discussions with independence and anti-independence groups, following his two-week quarantine.
Sources: https://www.rnz.co.nz/french-post-referendum-ministerial-visit-welcomed-in-noumea
https://www.abc.net.au/new-caledonia-votes-no-to-independence-from-france/12730060
https://www.euronews.com/caledonia-votes-no-to-independence-from-france-according-to-partial-results