The official campaign has today been opened for New Caledonia’s referendum on independence from France.
Six political formations are officially authorised to campaign for the plebiscite on 4 October when 180,000 voters will be asked whether they want the territory to accede to full sovereignty.
Three groups are for independence and three are for the status quo.
Media campaigns are subject to control by led by the Superior Council of the Audiovisual to ensure plurality and compliance with standards.
In 2018, in the first of three possible referendums under the Noumea Accord, 57 percent voted against independence.
If voters again reject independence, a third vote can be called by 2022.
No opinion poll result has been released in the past six months.
New Caledonia was put on the UN decolonisation list in 1986.
