French Constitutional Council upholds 'frozen' electoral list in New Caledonia

The French Constitutional Council has upheld the 'frozen' electoral list in New Caledonia, maintaining restrictions on who is eligible to vote in local elections. This decision comes amid ongoing debates about the territory's political future and follows unrest in May 2024, where protests erupted over proposed changes to the electoral roll. The court acknowledged that the percentage of residents deprived of voting rights has significantly increased over the years but maintained that the current restrictions are constitutional as they are part of the Nouméa Accord, which is enshrined in the French Constitution. The ruling has implications for the upcoming local elections and the broader discourse on New Caledonia's autonomy and self-determination.