20 Mar 2018

New Caledonian independence referendum set for Nov 4

12:38 pm on 20 March 2018

New Caledonia's next referendum on independence from France is set to be held on 4 November.

Congress approved the date with 38 votes to 14.

The New Caledonia congress.

The New Caledonia congress. Photo: AFP

Those opposed to the referendum timeline were members of anti-independence parties objecting to accompanying statements, saying they were too apologetic.

The exact wording of the referendum question is yet to be decided.

The 1998 Noumea Accord stipulated that a vote would have to be held by this year on whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty.

Voting will be restricted to long-term residents.

In the last independence referendum, in 1987, 98 percent voted to stay with France, but the pro-independence movement had called for a boycott.

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