A group of French citizens in New Caledonia says it plans to approach Paris, the courts of the EU as well as the UN in order to change the territory's electoral roll for the provincial elections.
Voters on New Caledonia's restricted roll line up in 2018 independence referendum Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel
Under the provisions of the Noumea Accord, only those living in New Caledonia since at least 1998 are eligible to vote in local elections.
According to Les Nouvelles Caledoniennes, an association has been formed asking for the loosening of the access criteria.
An estimated 40,000 residents are excluded from voting in the provincial election but are allowed to vote in the French elections.
The push for reform comes just days after a majority of voters on another restricted roll rejected independence from France.
The pro-independence side has dismissed the call as political agitation, saying the provisions of the Accord remain in force.
The next provincial election is due in May after which a third of members suffices to request another independence referendum.
Noumea Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel