Radio "France Info" reported the closure of a polling station during the early parliamentary elections in New Caledonia amid ongoing protests organized by supporters of the country's independence, resulting in no voting taking place there. As the voting period ended in this French overseas territory, demonstrators continued to block the municipal building in the northern province of Ouvéa by dragging a burned car to the entrance, preventing citizens from entering.
Additionally, a 40-ton heavy truck belonging to the police was stolen the night before the elections. Protesters attacked the barracks and broke through the gate, but the police prevented them from entering. In the morning, protesters attempted to attack the police again.
Nevertheless, there was a high voter turnout across the island, with numerous locations reporting more than 60% voter participation by 4:00 PM local time, and one site reaching 80%. The total number of registered voters in the archipelago is 220,000, with 18 candidates standing for election.
