03:28Noumea residents headed to polling stations to cast their ballots in the first round of the French snap legislative election on Sunday, following months of rioting over potential changes to the franchise in the overseas territory.
"There are old people who fought for this right to vote. And also to show young people. They express themselves, or when they express their anger it perhaps seems awkward. This is the right way to make your voice heard at the level of the National Assembly," said Kevin Wamethu, a professor.
"We clearly know that there are going to be a lot of people who have difficulty getting around, locating their office," he continued. "There will be a large part of this abstention which will clearly be due to the centralisation of polling stations. Security problems have to be dealt with and we try to organise ourselves."
Footage shows voters waiting in line outside the Paita Media Library, which was serving as the polling station. They were seen registering to vote and casting their ballots. Members of the voting committee could also be seen counting the votes. Police monitored the polling location outside.
"It's something that we have to do every, every election. So it’s a civic duty and then, yes, it’s certain that, with the events we’re experiencing today. It is certainly important that as many people as possible come to the polls today," added Benjamin Hnawia.
According to media reports, the voter turnout for two constituencies in New Caledonia witnessed around 32.39 percent at midday of Sunday, while over 222,000 residents were registered to vote.
At least seven people were killed, hundreds wounded, and hundreds more arrested after violence first erupted in May across New Caledonia following electoral reforms passed in Paris that some claim will erode the influence of the island's indigenous community.
The reforms would mean French residents of the territory for 10 years or more would be able to vote.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which saw a massive surge for anti-immigration National Rally. At time of publication, the NR had come first, with Macron's party pushed to third by the leftist New Popular Front. Round two comes on July 7.
'Right way to make your voice heard' - Noumea votes in French elections following riots over electoral reform
Noumea residents headed to polling stations to cast their ballots in the first round of the French snap legislative election on Sunday, following months of rioting over potential changes to the franchise in the overseas territory.
"There are old people who fought for this right to vote. And also to show young people. They express themselves, or when they express their anger it perhaps seems awkward. This is the right way to make your voice heard at the level of the National Assembly," said Kevin Wamethu, a professor.
"We clearly know that there are going to be a lot of people who have difficulty getting around, locating their office," he continued. "There will be a large part of this abstention which will clearly be due to the centralisation of polling stations. Security problems have to be dealt with and we try to organise ourselves."
Footage shows voters waiting in line outside the Paita Media Library, which was serving as the polling station. They were seen registering to vote and casting their ballots. Members of the voting committee could also be seen counting the votes. Police monitored the polling location outside.
"It's something that we have to do every, every election. So it’s a civic duty and then, yes, it’s certain that, with the events we’re experiencing today. It is certainly important that as many people as possible come to the polls today," added Benjamin Hnawia.
According to media reports, the voter turnout for two constituencies in New Caledonia witnessed around 32.39 percent at midday of Sunday, while over 222,000 residents were registered to vote.
At least seven people were killed, hundreds wounded, and hundreds more arrested after violence first erupted in May across New Caledonia following electoral reforms passed in Paris that some claim will erode the influence of the island's indigenous community.
The reforms would mean French residents of the territory for 10 years or more would be able to vote.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which saw a massive surge for anti-immigration National Rally. At time of publication, the NR had come first, with Macron's party pushed to third by the leftist New Popular Front. Round two comes on July 7.
Noumea residents headed to polling stations to cast their ballots in the first round of the French snap legislative election on Sunday, following months of rioting over potential changes to the franchise in the overseas territory.
"There are old people who fought for this right to vote. And also to show young people. They express themselves, or when they express their anger it perhaps seems awkward. This is the right way to make your voice heard at the level of the National Assembly," said Kevin Wamethu, a professor.
"We clearly know that there are going to be a lot of people who have difficulty getting around, locating their office," he continued. "There will be a large part of this abstention which will clearly be due to the centralisation of polling stations. Security problems have to be dealt with and we try to organise ourselves."
Footage shows voters waiting in line outside the Paita Media Library, which was serving as the polling station. They were seen registering to vote and casting their ballots. Members of the voting committee could also be seen counting the votes. Police monitored the polling location outside.
"It's something that we have to do every, every election. So it’s a civic duty and then, yes, it’s certain that, with the events we’re experiencing today. It is certainly important that as many people as possible come to the polls today," added Benjamin Hnawia.
According to media reports, the voter turnout for two constituencies in New Caledonia witnessed around 32.39 percent at midday of Sunday, while over 222,000 residents were registered to vote.
At least seven people were killed, hundreds wounded, and hundreds more arrested after violence first erupted in May across New Caledonia following electoral reforms passed in Paris that some claim will erode the influence of the island's indigenous community.
The reforms would mean French residents of the territory for 10 years or more would be able to vote.
Macron called the snap legislative vote following huge losses for his Renaissance party in the EU Parliament elections, which saw a massive surge for anti-immigration National Rally. At time of publication, the NR had come first, with Macron's party pushed to third by the leftist New Popular Front. Round two comes on July 7.