Up to 400 people in New Caledonia are at risk of being removed from the roll for provincial elections.
Commissions vetting just over 1,000 people had been unable to get evidence of all those being challenged that they were registered before 1998.
Voting rights are restricted to long-term residents in line with a French constitutional amendment accompanying the territory's decolonisation process.
Those who failed to document their right to vote are considered to be struck off the roll, but have another week to appeal against the decision.
Media reports suggest some people may be unaware of the challenge because mail warning them about the issue has not reached them.
Photo: AFP