PARIS, November 5, 2018 (BSS//TASS) – A total of 56.4% of voters in New
Caledonia have voted in favor of remaining part of France, France Presse said
on Sunday citing official results released by the referendum commission.
The final stage of voting proceeded amidst riots in a number of
settlements, with several car being set of fire and stones being tossed at
polling stations, according to the news agency.
The voter turnout was 80.63%.
Meanwhile, the victory of opponents of independence has turnout out to be
not that impressive as expected. Expert forecasts and opinion polls put the
number of those thinking that New Caledonia should remain part of France as a
territory with a special status and extended rights of local authorities at
70-75% This gap, according to a BFM political analyst, will tell on further
negotiations between the two political camps having opposition positions on
New Caledonia’s status.