New Caledonia heads to polls in vote delayed since 2024
Key takeaways
- Security has been high at polling stations as the South Pacific archipelago holds its first provincial elections since 2019.
- Some 2,500 police were dispatched to guard polling stations across the archipelago as voters began casting ballots at 8:00 a.m.
- Sunday's ballot will determine the balance of power ahead of negotiations with France over the territory's status, with 76 councilors being elected to the territory's provincial assemblies.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Security has been high at polling stations as the South Pacific archipelago holds its first provincial elections since 2019. The vote in the French territory was originally set for 2024 but was delayed by violent unrest.
https://p.dw.com/p/5GBz7The results of New Caledonia's Sunday elections will set the stage to determine the territory's future relationship with France Image: Delphine Mayeur/AFPAdvertisement Security was high at polling stations across the French South Pacific territory of New Caledonia on Sunday, as voters began to cast ballots in provincial elections originally scheduled for 2024.
Some 2,500 police were dispatched to guard polling stations across the archipelago as voters began casting ballots at 8:00 a.m. (2100 GMT Saturday) in the first such vote since 2019.