New Caledonia campaigns amid security concerns and foreign interference warnings

Political parties in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia are actively campaigning for upcoming provincial elections, officially kicking off on Monday and concluding on June 26. The crucial vote, involving more than 190,000 voters on a recently revised electoral roll, is set for Sunday, June 28.

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It's difficult to bring people together with such incidents that go in the wrong direction.

Campaigning efforts are visible both on the ground through rallies and posters, and digitally via the internet and social media. The French High Commission has ensured a high level of security forces, including gendarmerie and police, are present. This heightened security follows recent incidents such as the theft of approximately 37 telecommunication poles in the rural town of Poum and vandalism targeting ATMs in Nouméa.

Adding to the pre-election tension, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu issued a warning about the potential for digital foreign interference. Citing a report from Viginum, France's digital watchdog agency, Lecornu highlighted the vulnerability of New Caledonia's elections due to its "situation in the Pacific" and past instances of foreign interference. He stressed that foreign digital interference poses a growing threat to democratic processes and that authorities will remain vigilant to alert voters and expose disinformation attempts in real time.

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Candidates will have allocated broadcast time on mainstream media, overseen by the French media watchdog ARCOM, to present their political messages. The security measures and warnings about digital interference underscore the sensitive political climate surrounding these provincial elections.

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Foreign digital interference is a growing threat to democratic life and debate.