‘Null and void’: boycott clouds New Caledonia’s final poll on independence

Overwhelming vote to remain with France, but low turnout weighs heavily' on self-determination process, say observers

Low voter turnout at New Caledonia's independence referendum weighs heavily" on the French territory's self-determination process, election observers from the Pacific Islands Forum have said.

In Sunday's referendum, more than 96% of voters were opposed to independence from France, compared with 57% in 2018 and 53% in 2020.