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NOUMEA, New Caledonia (AP) – The voters of New Caledonia decide whether the French territory of the South Pacific must free itself from the European country that claimed it in the middle of the 19th century.
A Sunday referendum will mark a turning point in the process of decolonization of the archipelago and help define the future of New Caledonia as an independent country or as a permanent extension of France.
More than 174,000 registered voters are invited to answer the question: "Do you want New Caledonia to acquire full sovereignty and become independent?"
Observers expect a majority to favor maintaining part of France on the basis of opinion polls and the results of previous elections.
Polling stations open at 8 am (Saturday 10 pm in metropolitan France, 9 pm GMT) and close 10 hours later. Results are expected Sunday.
