Update: 7:30am – According to police about 3000 people marched in New Caledonia’s capital to push for the automatic enrolment of Kanaks for next year’s independence referendum.
The march held this afternoon in Noumea was organised by a group of pro-independence supporters and nationalists and went from the seat of the government to the French High Commission.
The campaign is being backed by some politicians, unionists and clergy. To be eligible, voters need have to been in the territory since 1998 and be registered.
Kanaks claim they should be automatically inscribed on the roll but the electoral law stipulates that voters need to register to cast a ballot.
There are continued claims that people are enrolled who fail to meet the legal requirements.
-RNZ
