The registration period has opened in New Caledonia for parties planning to contest the provincial elections on 12 May.
Parties can register their lists with the French High Commission in Noumea until 23 April.
Each list must contain 106 names to match the number of seats in the three provincial assemblies.
By law the lists must also alternate male and female candidates to ensure gender parity.
Out of the three provincial assemblies, 54 members will be drawn to form the Congress for the next five years.
Once the names have been vetted, the official lists of candidates will be made public on Saturday 27 April for the official campaign period to begin the following Monday.