The French government is continuing preparations for New Caledonia's independence referendum, despite the pro-independence parties' decision to shun the vote on 12 December.
Photo: 123rf
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic the French High Commission extended the enrolment period for outer island voters who want to vote in Noumea. It is now the end of this week.
Last month, the pro-independence parties announced their non-participation in the third and final plebiscite after unsuccessfully asking Paris to defer the vote until next year.
The parties said the impact of the pandemic on a Kanak population in mourning wasn't conducive to a proper referendum campaign.
Last week, the parties advised the French government that they let pass the deadline by which they were due to submit their official campaign material to the commission in charge of the referendum.
The French overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu has restated that the referendum will only be postponed if the pandemic gets out of control.
Two previous referendums, in 2018 and 2020, were won by anti-independence supporters.
Presidential hopeful can't see independence for New Caledonia
Another senior French politician vying to become president next year has spoken out for New Caledonia to remain French.
Valerie Pecresse told Le Figaro she doesn't see New Caledonia without France, nor France without New Caledonia.
Pecresse is seeking the nomination of the centre-right Republicans to run for the presidency.
She said in case of independence, New Caledonia's future was highly uncertain.