Great uncertainty over electoral lists in New Caledonia
In New Caledonia, electoral lists are shrouded in great uncertainty ahead of political deadlines. The Council of State is reviewing challenges raised by Kanak customary authorities. This situation highlights ongoing tensions around the electoral roll frozen since 1998.
New Caledonia is experiencing significant uncertainty regarding its electoral lists, as reported by Le Monde on September 29, 2025. This confusion arises amid post-independence referendum tensions, with the three votes in 2018, 2020, and 2021 based on an electoral roll frozen since the 1998 Noumea Accord. This freeze limits voting to residents present at that time, effectively excluding part of the immigrant population.
Kanak customary authorities, united in the Committee of Signatories, strongly challenge potential updates to the lists. 'It's total fog that risks undermining the legitimacy of elections,' states a Kanak spokesperson quoted in the article. The Council of State, seized by several appeals, must decide on the registration of thousands of people, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 potentially affected voters.
Historically, the Noumea Accord aimed to stabilize the electoral body to ensure balanced representation between independentists and loyalists. However, the 2024 unrest has reignited debates, with calls for revisions to include younger Kanak generations. The French government, through the Overseas Minister, insists on respecting the existing legal framework, while local elected officials call for urgent clarification.
This uncertainty could delay the provincial elections scheduled for late 2025, exacerbating societal divisions. Without swift resolution, the political process risks further stagnation, underscoring the challenges of unfinished decolonization in New Caledonia.