French Senate Endorses Proposed Changes to New Caledonia's Electoral Roll

The French Senate has endorsed proposed amendments to New Caledonia's electoral roll, aiming to relax voting restrictions established under the 1998 Nouméa Accord. These changes will enable over 10,000 individuals born in New Caledonia since 1998, who have reached voting age, to participate in the upcoming provincial elections. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu highlighted that the growing proportion of native-born residents previously excluded from voting infringed upon France's principles of universal and equal suffrage. This legislative move seeks to address demographic shifts and promote inclusivity in New Caledonia's electoral process.