Report on the consultation for the accession to full sovereignty of New Caledonia on December 12, 2021
Summary
As part of the process initiated by the Matignon Accords of June 26, 1988 and confirmed by the Nouméa Accord, signed on May 5, 1998, the third and final referendum consultation for New Caledonia's accession to full sovereignty was held on December 12, 2021.
In the two previous referendums held on November 4, 2018 and October 4, 2020, a majority of voters were against the territory's accession to full sovereignty.
As in 2018 and 2020, voters registered on the Special Electoral List (LESC) for the December 12, 2021 consultation were summoned to answer "yes" or "no" to the question set by the Committee of Signatories of the Nouméa Accord: "Do you want New Caledonia to accede to full sovereignty and become independent?".
The media election campaign for this consultation took place in two stages. Pursuant to article 219 IV of the organic law of March 19, 1999 relating to New Caledonia and the decree of June 30, 2021, the French Superior Audiovisual Council, now the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication, defined two periods, the first running from Monday November 1 to Sunday November 28, and the second covering the official campaign, from Monday November 29 until midnight on Friday December 10, the eve of the reserve period. During these two periods, the French Superior Audiovisual Council ensured equitable access for political parties and groups to New Caledonian television and radio services.
Arcom's assessment of the audiovisual media's handling of the campaign is positive. In a particular context marked by the summons to non-participation by several pro-independence parties, it notes that the principle of fairness that applied to political parties and groupings was generally respected, as were the efforts made by all radio and television services present in New Caledonia to report on the challenges of the consultation.
As in 2020, the health crisis had a major impact on the organization of the official audiovisual campaign. Solutions adapted to the situation had to be put in place so that the political parties and groupings could film their broadcasts without any deterioration in technical performance. While a number of pro-independence parties summoned their supporters to abstain from the vote and decided not to take part in the official audiovisual campaign, Arcom ensured that they were informed throughout the process that this situation did not affect their right to take part in the official audiovisual campaign at any time, nor their right to present their political choice in the clips produced for the occasion, within the limits set by Arcom's decision.
Report on the consultation for the accession to full sovereignty of New Caledonia on December 12, 2021
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- in french