The provisional voting rolls for New Caledonia's referendum on independence from France, which is set to take place on November 4 this year, have been published across town halls.
The voting registration has been restricted to only long-term residents of the Pacific archipelago, which at present remains a French overseas territory.
The referendum follows a 20 year agreement signed in 1998 which gave the region greater autonomy but also made provisions for a referendum on independence to be held by the end of this year.
Pro-independence activists, largely from within the indigenous Kanak residents have criticised the process of enrolment, accusing authorities of allowing thousands of people who are not long-term residents to enrol.
