A total of 56.4% of voters in New Caledonia have voted in favor of remaining part of France, France Presse said on Sunday citing official results released by the referendum commission.

The final stage of voting proceeded amidst riots in a number of settlements, with several car being set of fire and stones being tossed at polling stations, according to the news agency.

The voter turnout was 80.63%.

Meanwhile, the victory of opponents of independence has turnout out to be not that impressive as expected. Expert forecasts and opinion polls put the number of those thinking that New Caledonia should remain part of France as a territory with a special status and extended rights of local authorities at 70-75% This gap, according to a BFM political analyst, will tell on further negotiations between the two political camps having opposition positions on New Caledonia’s status.