People in New Caledonia won't be allowed to carry firearms on the weekend of the independence referendum.
The vote is to go ahead on Sunday 4 November.
Photo: AFP
The French High Commission has issued the territory-wide ban on carrying weapons or ammunition from Saturday afternoon until midday Monday to prevent any risk to public order.
The Commission has also restricted the sale of alcoholic beverages for the referendum weekend.
Such a ban was also imposed in 1998 when a vote was held on whether to approve the Noumea Accord.
Alcohol sale restrictions also apply on Wednesday and Friday afternoons before the vote as well as on 1 November because All Saints Day is a public holiday.