The French opposition Socialist Party has warned the government not to try to subvert a constitutional amendment aimed at restricting voting rights in New Caledonia to long-term residents.
The French assembly has approved the change which means French citizens who have arrived in the territory after 1998 are not allowed to vote in the 2009 provincial elections.
The Socialist leader, Francois Hollande, says his party is ready to vote for the amendment even if there is a slight delay.
The amendment is yet to be approved by the Senate next month and will have to be finalised by a joint sitting of both houses.
The comments come as there is a split in the ranks of the ruling UMP Party over whether to adhere to the voting restriction plan as agreed on in the 1998 Noumea Accord on greater autonomy.
