Results of New Caledonia referendum show most voters stayed away

This photo taken on Dec 12, 2021 shows ballots reading "Yes" and "No" for the referendum on independence at a polling station of the City Hall in Noumea on the French South Pacific territory of New Caledonia. (THEO ROUBY / AFP)

SYDNEY – Final results of an independence referendum in the French territory of New Caledonia show almost two-thirds of voters abstained or returned blank or null ballots, after a call for a boycott by supporters of independence.

Final results published by the French High Commission in Noumea on Monday showed turnout of 43.9 percent

The referendum result showed 96.5 percent of those who did vote on Sunday opposed independence, after a big drop in turnout due to the boycott call.

The indigenous Kanak population, who largely favor independence, had called for non-participation in the vote after France declined a request to delay the ballot to allow for a traditional mourning period following a September surge in coronavirus infections.

France's decision to hold the vote against the wishes of Kanaks drew condemnation in neighboring Pacific islands where sensitivities over colonization are high.

ALSO READ:New Caledonia votes in independence referendum

Final results published by the French High Commission in Noumea on Monday showed turnout of 43.9 percent.

Abstentions stood at 56.13 percent, blank ballots at 1.43 percent and null ballots at 1.56 percent.

The vote, the third and final ballot on the issue, follows two previous polls in 2018 and 2020 in which the "no" vote got 57 percent and 53 percent respectively.