The French High Commission in Noumea has approved all 25 lists of candidates submitted for New Caledonia's provincial elections on 12th May.
Most were filed for the southern province where 11 different parties, with eight lists for the Loyalty Islands province and six for the northern province.
In the southern province, the list of the largest anti-independence party is led by Philippe Gomes while the main pro-independence FLNKS list is headed by Roch Wamytan.
By law a list must have as many candidates as there are seats in the assembly and alternate male and female candidates.
Out of the three provincial assemblies a new 54-seat Congress will be formed for a five-year period.
There have been no opinion polls but the unexpectedly tight result in last November's referendum on independence from France suggests it will be a close contest between the rival pro-and-anti-independence sides.
Another independence referendum can be called if a third of members in the new Congress wish to have one.
The French High Commission in New Caledonia. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Walter Zweifel