New Caledonia: Polling stations will remain grouped together before the provincial elections

Two weeks before the provincial elections in New Caledonia, the controversy surrounding the organization of the vote in Nouméa remains intense. The administrative court rejected the request for suspension filed by the Caledonian Union against the decree designating polling stations, thus validating the maintenance of the centralized system chosen by the State for the June 28th election.

In practical terms, the 57 polling stations in New Caledonia's capital will remain grouped into nine sites, compared to around forty before the May 2024 riots. This reorganization was implemented after the riots that led to the damage or destruction of several schools usually used for elections. Authorities believe that a change just days before the vote would now risk disrupting election preparations.

Accessibility of the vote at the heart of the criticism

Pro-independence parties and several elected officials, however, denounce the continued use of a system they deem unjustified. According to them, the security situation has stabilized and most of the infrastructure involved has been repaired. Their main concern is that the distance to polling stations will penalize residents of working-class neighborhoods, particularly those without personal vehicles, especially since public transportation still does not operate on Sundays. Several political leaders have raised concerns about the risk of voter discouragement, which could negatively impact turnout.

The state, for its part, defends its decision as being based on logistical and financial imperatives, emphasizing the difficulties encountered in mobilizing sufficient staff and poll workers. Opponents contest this argument and accuse the authorities of creating unequal access to voting. While the legal battle is provisionally closed before the election, the debate remains open: the Council of State can be petitioned after the elections by voters or candidates wishing to challenge the regularity of the electoral process.