2014 Cook Islands general election

{{Infobox legislative election

| country = Cook Islands

| previous_election = 2010

| election_date = 9 July 2014

| next_election = 2018

| seats_for_election= All 24 seats in Parliament

| majority_seats = 13

| turnout = 81.09%

| party1 = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

| leader1 = Wilkie Rasmussen

| last_election1 = 8

| seats1 = 10

| percentage1 = 46.72

| party2 = Cook Islands Party

| leader2 = Henry Puna

| last_election2 = 16

| seats2 = 12

| percentage2 = 41.82

| party3 = One Cook Islands Movement

| leader3 = Teina Bishop

| last_election3 = New

| seats3 = 2

| percentage3 = 9.45

| map =

| map_size =

| map_caption = Results of the election by constituency

| title = Prime Minister

| posttitle = Prime Minister after election

| before_election = Henry Puna

| before_party = Cook Islands Party

| after_election = Henry Puna

| after_party = Cook Islands Party

}}{{Politics of the Cook Islands}}

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 9 July 2014,{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/241927/cooks-parliament-dissolved-for-july-election |title=Cooks parliament dissolved for July election |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-04-17 |accessdate=2014-04-17}} determining the membership of the 16th Cook Islands Parliament.{{cite web |title=Members of Parliament (1958 - present) |url=https://parliament.gov.ck/our-people/members/ |website=parliament.gov.ck |publisher=Parliament of the Cook Islands |access-date=14 January 2024}}

The Cook Islands Party (CIP) initially appeared to have retained its majority, winning 13 seats, while the Democratic Party won eight and the new One Cook Islands Movement won two, with one seat tied. However, the result in one constituency the CIP had won was overturned in court, with the Democratic Party awarded the seat, while the tied seat was also awarded to the Democratic Party after one ballot was invalidated, resulting in a hung parliament.

Background

The previous elections were held on 17 November 2010. The term of the Parliament was due to expire four years after that date, on 17 November 2014. Elections had to be held no later than three months after that date,{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/2014/January/Wed15/local.htm#1401140106 |title=Candidates set for Murienua re-run |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2014-01-14 |accessdate=2014-01-28 |archive-date=27 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227003846/http://www.cookislandsnews.com/2014/January/Wed15/local.htm#1401140106 |url-status=dead }} with 17 February 2015 being the latest date.

However, on 17 April 2014 the Queen's Representative, Tom Marsters, dissolved Parliament, setting an election date of 9 July. Marsters stated that the Prime Minister, Henry Puna, had informed him that the early election was required in order to have a new government in office prior to the 50th anniversary of the Cook Islands attaining self-government, which will occur in 2015. Masters also said that it would allow the new government to pass a budget in time for the anniversary. Puna blamed minister Teina Bishop for destabilising the government and necessitating the election.{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11289131 |title=Cook Islanders head to the polls for snap election |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=2014-07-07 |accessdate=2014-07-09 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714144622/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11289131 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-04-30/cook-islands-prime-minister-henry-puna-deflects-claims-of-party-disunity/1303586 |title=Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna deflects claims of party disunity |publisher=ABC Radio Australia |date=2014-04-30 |accessdate=2014-07-09}} Bishop resigned as education and tourism minister the day after the election was announced{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/242006/cooks-minister-bishop-resigns |title=Cooks minister Bishop resigns |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-04-18 |accessdate=2014-07-09}} and subsequently left the Cook Islands Party to form a new party.{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/243340/new-group-emerges-to-contest-cooks-election |title=New group emerges to contest Cooks election |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-05-05 |accessdate=2014-07-09}} The Opposition claimed that the Prime Minister had called the election to avoid a no-confidence vote in Parliament, which Puna denied. Leader of the Opposition Wilkie Rasmussen criticised Puna for calling an election with bills yet to complete their passage in Parliament.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/46616-fewer-candidates-running-in-2014-election/46616-fewer-candidates-running-in-2014-election |title= Election call was 'selfish' |publisher=Cook Islands News |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |date=2014-04-17 |accessdate=2014-07-08}}{{cite web |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-04-22/cook-islands-calls-early-election-amid-opposition-claims-government-faces-no-confidence/1299248 |title=Cook Islands calls early election amid opposition claims government faces no confidence |publisher=ABC Radio Australia |date=2014-04-22 |accessdate=2014-07-09}}

A list of candidates was publicly notified on 6 May.{{cite web |url=http://www.mfem.gov.ck/mfemdocs/stats/other-information/elections/336-candidates-duly-nominated-for-each-constituency/file |title=Candidates Duly Nominated For Each Constituency |work=Cook Islands Gazette |date=2014-05-06 |accessdate=2014-07-04}} 52 candidates contested the election, a decrease from 70 in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/46616-fewer-candidates-running-in-2014-election/46616-fewer-candidates-running-in-2014-election |title=Fewer candidates run in 2014 election |publisher=Cook Islands News |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |date=2014-05-07 |accessdate=2014-07-04}} Six candidates were women, with Alexis Wolfgramm of the Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association blaming the snap election for the lack of more female candidates.{{cite web |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-05-15/cook-islands-snap-election-left-women-candidates-behind-advocacy-group/1311456 |title=Cook Islands' snap election left women candidates behind: advocacy group |publisher=ABC Radio Australia |date=2014-05-15 |accessdate=2014-07-09}}

10,394 people were enrolled to vote.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47411-election-campaigns-enter-home-stretch |title=Election: Campaigns enter home stretch |publisher=Cook Islands News |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |date=2014-07-01 |accessdate=2014-07-04}}

Electoral system

The 24 members of Parliament are elected in single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post system.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.gov.ck/members.html |title=Members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands |author= |website=Parliament of the Cook Islands |accessdate=2014-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510004411/http://www.parliament.gov.ck/members.html |archive-date=10 May 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.pacwip.org/future-elections/cook-is/ |title=Cook Islands |author= |website=Pacific Women in Politics |accessdate=2014-07-09}}

Campaign

The Cook Islands Party campaigned on its record in government,{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/248945/hopes-4-years-of-stability-leads-to-2nd-term-in-cook-islands |title=Hopes 4 years of stability leads to 2nd term in Cook Islands |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-07-04 |accessdate=2014-07-09}} including increasing pensions, other welfare payments and the minimum wage. It also highlighted income tax reductions, while the opposition Democratic Party criticised the government's value-added tax (VAT) increase and promised to reverse it. The Democratic Party also promoted a scheme for agricultural development on the outer islands,{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/248922/cash-food-crops-for-cooks-outer-islands |title=Cash food crops for Cooks outer islands |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-07-04 |accessdate=2014-07-09}} while the Cook Islands Party touted the infrastructure projects it had carried out in the outer islands. Bishop's new party, the One Cook Islands Movement, called for the taxation of pensions to be abolished{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/249084/mp-wants-tax-free-pensions-for-cooks |title=MP wants tax-free pensions for Cooks |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-07-07 |accessdate=2014-07-09}} and for subsidies to promote tourism in the outer islands.{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/20140862/cooks-candidates-contend-elections |title=Cooks candidates contend elections |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-07-08 |accessdate=2014-07-08}} Both major parties, as well as independent candidates, used social media in an attempt to connect with younger voters.{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/247980/social-media-a-factor-in-cook-islands-poll |title=Social media a factor in Cook Islands poll |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-06-23 |accessdate=2014-07-09}} Former MP Iaveta Short criticised the campaign, saying parties were focused on "offering lollies to get votes" rather than providing solutions to the issues faced by the Cook Islands.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47588-election-campaigns-lacked-substance |title=Election campaigns 'lacked substance' |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2014-07-15 |accessdate=2014-07-20}}

Results

There was a tie in Mitiaro, resulting in a by-election later in the year. However, before the by-election results were counted, a recount took place of the general election results after one voter's ballot was invalidated and the seat was awarded to Tangata Vavia of the Democratic Party, who won by a margin of 50–49.

{{Election results

|image=File:Cook Islands Parliament 2014.svg

|party1=Democratic Party|votes1=3907|seats1=10|sc1=+2

|party2=Cook Islands Party|votes2=3497|seats2=12|sc2=–4

|party3=One Cook Islands Movement|votes3=790|seats3=2|sc3=New

|party5=Independents|votes5=73|seats5=0|sc5=0

|invalid=65

|total_sc=0

|electorate=10394

|source=[https://web.archive.org/web/20180421032238/http://www.mfem.gov.ck/oldsite/images/MFEM_Documents/Statistics_Docs/Cook_Islands_Election_2014_in_Brief.pdf MFEM], [https://web.archive.org/web/20191005054245/http://www.mfem.gov.ck/oldsite/index.php/final-results-2014 MFEM]

}}

=By constituency=

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Teariki Heather

|votes = 201

|percentage = 52.1

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Nooroa O Teariki Baker

|votes = 185

|percentage = 47.9

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 386

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Toanui Isamaela

|votes = 203

|percentage = 57.8

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Terepai Maoate Jnr

|votes = 148

|percentage = 42.2

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 351

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = One Cook Islands Movement

|candidate = Teina Bishop

|votes = 204

|percentage = 68.2

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Teuira Manuela Ka

|votes = 95

|percentage = 31.8

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 299

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = One Cook Islands Movement

|loser = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Albert Taaviri Kaitara Nicholas

|votes = 292

|percentage = 53.1

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = John Henry

|votes = 258

|percentage = 46.9

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 550

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|loser = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Jim Marurai

|votes = Elected unopposed

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes =

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Henry Puna

|votes = 78

|percentage = 51.3

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Apii Piho

|votes = 74

|percentage = 48.7

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 152

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Kiriau Turepu

|votes = 288

|percentage = 51.2

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Cassey Eggelton

|votes = 275

|percentage = 48.8

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 563

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Tai Tura

|votes = 82

|percentage = 42.5

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = One Cook Islands Movement

|candidate = Tungane Williams

|votes = 63

|percentage = 32.6

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Hugh Graham

|votes = 48

|percentage = 24.9

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 193

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Tangata Vavia

|votes = 50

|percentage = 50.5

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Tuakeu Tangatapoto

|votes = 49

|percentage = 49.5

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 99

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = James Beer

|votes = 225

|percentage = 50.4

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Patrick Arioka

|votes = 221

|percentage = 49.6

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 446

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Tamaiva Tuavera

|votes = 257

|percentage = 50.1

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Atatoa Herman

|votes = 183

|percentage = 35.7

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Ngateina Jasmine Mackenzie

|votes = 73

|percentage = 14.2

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 513

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|loser = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Ngamau Munokoa

|votes = 415

|percentage = 64.1

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Piritau Nga

|votes = 234

|percentage = 35.9

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 651

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Kareroa Wesley

|votes = 117

|percentage = 63.6

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Poroaiti Arokapiti

|votes = 67

|percentage = 36.4

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 184

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Willie John

|votes = 78

|percentage = 53.4

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Wilkie Rasmussen

|votes = 68

|percentage = 46.6

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 146

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|loser = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Tekii Lazaro

|votes = 128

|percentage = 46.9

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Vai Peua

|votes = 120

|percentage = 44.0

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = One Cook Islands Movement

|candidate = Tai Ravarua

|votes = 25

|percentage = 9.2

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 273

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Toka Hagai

|votes = 39

|percentage = 63.9

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Taunga Toka

|votes = 22

|percentage = 36.1

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 61

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|loser = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = William William Heather

|votes = 386

|percentage = 61.1

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = David Akanoa

|votes = 246

|percentage = 38.9

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 632

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Mark Brown

|votes = 313

|percentage = 63.9

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Tuaputa Petero Dyer

|votes = 177

|percentage = 36.1

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 490

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Tetangi Matapo

|votes = 30

|percentage = 52.6

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Tokorua Pareina

|votes = 27

|percentage = 47.4

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 57

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|loser = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Rose Toki-Brown

|votes = 71

|percentage = 54.6

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Norman George

|votes = 59

|percentage = 45.4

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 130

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|loser = Independent (politician)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Nandi Glassie

|votes = 88

|percentage = 54.7

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Eugene Tatuava

|votes = 73

|percentage = 45.3

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 161

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Selina Napa

|votes = 337

|percentage = 48.1

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Teariki Matenga

|votes = 268

|percentage = 38.2

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Titikaveka Oire

|candidate = Teava Iro

|votes = 96

|percentage = 13.7

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 701

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = One Cook Islands Movement

|candidate = George Angene

|votes = 498

|percentage = 51.0

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Lee Harmon

|votes = 282

|percentage = 28.9

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Isaia Willie Jnr

|votes = 197

|percentage = 20.2

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 977

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = One Cook Islands Movement

|loser = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Cook Islands Party

|candidate = Mona Ioane

|votes = 178

|percentage = 50.9

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

|candidate = Kete Ioane

|votes = 172

|percentage = 49.1

|change = }}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 350

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Cook Islands Party

|swing =

}}

Analysis and reactions

The Cook Islands Party, despite winning fewer votes than the Democratic Party, retained its majority with 13 seats. The Democratic Party won eight seats and the newly formed One Cook Islands Movement two. One seat, Mitiaro, was tied, with a recount to be held there.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47638-cip-wins-majority-in-election |title=Election: Puna in, Rasmussen out |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2014-07-18 |accessdate=2014-07-20}}[http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/250081/cook-islands-party-wins-absolute-majority Cook Islands Party wins absolute majority | Radio New Zealand News]

Preliminary results had given the Democratic Party 11 seats to the Cook Islands Party's 10, with two for the One Cook Islands Movement and one tied. They had also had Prime Minister Henry Puna trailing his Democratic Party opponent by two votes in Manihiki.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47539-one-cook-islands-as-kingmaker |title=One Cook Islands as kingmaker? |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2014-07-10 |accessdate=2014-07-20}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mfem.gov.ck/preliminary-results-2014/53-statistics/other-information |title=Final Results 2014 |publisher=Ministry of Finance and Economic Management |date=2014-07-18 |accessdate=2014-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724165453/http://www.mfem.gov.ck/preliminary-results-2014/53-statistics/other-information |archive-date=24 July 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} However, the final results gave Puna a four-vote victory, while Democratic Party leader Wilkie Rasmussen, who had led by eight votes in the preliminary results, lost by 10 votes to the Cook Islands Party's Willie John in Penrhyn. Tokorua Pareina of the Cook Islands Party also defeated the Democratic Party's Tetangi Matapo by one vote in Tamarua, which had been tied in the preliminary results.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47633-election-cip-wins-in-tamarua |title=Election: CIP inches ahead of Demos |author=Briar Douglas |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2014-07-17 |accessdate=2014-07-20}} Mitiaro, where the Democratic Party's Tangata Vavia had held a six-vote lead in the preliminary tallies, became in a tie in the final results.

One Cook Islands Movement leader Teina Bishop was re-elected in Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara, as was the party's other MP, George Angene, in Tupapa-Maraerenga.

In a major upset, Cook Islands Party candidate Rose Toki-Brown ousted veteran Democratic Party MP Norman George by 12 votes in Teenui-Mapumai. However, George claimed that his defeat was result of widespread bribery and said he would challenge it in court. Toki-Brown denied any wrongdoing. George stated that his party colleague Eugene Tatuava was also planning to challenge the result in Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua, where he lost to Cook Islands Party MP Nandi Glassie by 15 votes.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47569-election-bitter-battle-likely-in-atiu |title=Election: Bitter battle likely in Atiu |author=Emmanuel Samoglou and Mark Ebrey |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2014-07-14 |accessdate=2014-07-20}}

Bishop questioned the validity of postal votes from New Zealand that arrived two days after election day, saying that this delay meant that they appeared to breach the Electoral Act. Chief Electoral Officer Taggy Tangimetua dismissed the issue as a "technicality", stating that she had received legal advice that she could count the votes and adding that the Electoral Act needed to be reformed to address impractical provisions.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47587-validity-of-late-postal-votes-questioned |title=Validity of postal votes questioned |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2014-07-15 |accessdate=2014-07-20}}

Preliminary figures indicated that turnout had declined to 73.3%, but this increased to 79% in the final results.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47657-mysterious-votes-in-final-count |title=Mysterious votes in final count |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |publisher=Cook Islands |date=2014-07-19 |accessdate=2014-07-22}} Democratic Party MP Selina Napa, who was re-elected in Titikaveka, claimed that the figures were skewed by outdated voter rolls that still listed people who had died or moved away. She was supported by Tangimetua, who noted that the rolls were supposed to be updated by the Ministry of Justice.{{cite web |url=http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport//2014/July/07-16-01.htm |title=Cook Island Elections See Only 73% Voter Turnout |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2014-07-12 |accessdate=2014-07-20}}

The Democratic Party questioned the accuracy of the count, with its president, Sean Willis, saying:{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/250224/cooks-election-outcome-challenged |title=Cooks election outcome challenged |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2014-07-21 |accessdate=2014-07-22}}

There are a lot of question marks hanging around about why a lot of Democratic votes by declaration were disallowed which were crucial in some outer island seats. There were postal votes that were accepted after the polling date. Basically we've lost the battle but we haven't lost the war. There are definitely going to be petitions.

The final results included an extra 1236 votes compared to the preliminary results. Earlier comments by Tangimetua had indicated that, in addition to the votes included in the preliminary count, the final count would include about 400 advance votes, between 100 and 300 postal votes, and 100 votes by declaration. The appearance of several hundred votes additional to those mentioned by the Chief Electoral Officer in the final count led to public concern and questions about where they had come from.{{cite web |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/extra-votes-sees-return-of-cook-islands-party-government/1345507 |title=Extra votes sees return of Cook Islands Party government |publisher=ABC Radio Australia |date=2014-07-21 |accessdate=2014-07-22}} An anonymous party official also alleged that a scrutineer had reported seeing ballot boxes being opened before the count started.

Aftermath

In September the High Court upheld an electoral petition submitted by the Democratic Party regarding the result in Tamarua, where Cook Islands Party candidate Tokorua Pareina had won by a single result. As a result of the court ruling, Democratic Party candidate Tetangi Matapo was declared the winner by three votes. This resulted in the Cook Islands Party losing its one-seat majority.[http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/20151468/ruling-cook-islands-party-under-threat-after-court-decision Ruling Cook Islands Party under threat after court decision] Radio NZ International, 29 September 2014

On 17 December 2014, the Court of Appeal voided the election of Cook Islands Party candidate (and Education Minister) Mona Ioane in Vaipae-Tautu, and ordered a by-election for 17 February. This ruling reduced the Puna government to the status of a minority government.[http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/262558/cook-islands-by-election-revives-opposition-hopes "Cook Islands by-election revives opposition hopes"], Radio New Zealand, 24 December 2014

References

Cook

Category:2014 in the Cook Islands

Category:Elections in the Cook Islands

Cook