Pro-independence party in French overseas territory urges voters to turn out in 2nd round of snap polls

ANKARA

The pro-independence party in France’s overseas territory of New Caledonia on Tuesday called the electors to mobilize for the second round of the snap parliamentary elections.

The Pacific archipelago that suffered from violent riots in May and June due to political tensions held elections in tense circumstances amid instabilities on Sunday.

France and its overseas territories are gearing up for a second round on June 7, and the New Caledonian politicians will be disputing to secure the two seats in the National Assembly -- the lower chamber of the French parliament.

The pro-independence party Caledonian Union in a statement called the voters to turn out and cast their ballots in the second round.

“It is indispensable today that the pro-independence voices could be heard in the National Assembly since those of the two previous members were incomplete and in favor of the recolonization of Kanaky,” the statement read.

The party expressed its concerns over the victory of the anti-independence candidates who are the “main responsible for the situation.”

The party also called on voting for Omayra Naisseline and Emmanuel Tjibaou in the two New Caledonian constituencies.

Over 222,000 voters were registered in the first round on the island and the turnout was 60.02%, according to the French territorial High Commission.

In the first constituency, loyalist Nicolas Metzdorf got 39.81% of the votes, while his rival pro-independence Naisseline got 36.34%.

In the second constituency, pro-independence candidate Tjibaou received 44.06% of the votes against loyalist Alcide Ponga (36.18%), according to the Interior Ministry figures.

French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the parliament and announced snap elections after the far-right National Rally (RN) swept more than 31% of the vote in the European Parliament elections on June 9, a move that many observers have called a risky gamble.

He also announced on June 12 the suspension of the much-contested electoral reform plan in New Caledonia.

The reform plan provoked violent riots in May in the archipelago and lasted for weeks. At least seven people died and over 370 were injured in the riots.

If changes to electoral rules were adopted, French nationals who have lived on the island nation for at least 10 years would be eligible to vote in local elections.

Locals, however, were concerned that the changes would dilute the indigenous Kanak population's vote.