2014 Cook Islands general election

none July 2014 Cook Islands 2010 9 July 2014 2018 All 24 seats in Parliament 13 81.09% Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Wilkie Rasmussen 8 10 46.72 Cook Islands Party Henry Puna 16 12 41.82 One Cook Islands Movement Teina Bishop New 2 9.45 Results of the election by constituency Prime Minister Prime Minister after election Henry Puna Cook Islands Party Henry Puna Cook Islands Party General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 9 July 2014,http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/241927/cooks-parliament-dissolved-for-july-election Cooks parliament dissolved for July election Radio New Zealand International 2014-04-17 2014-04-17 determining the membership of the 16th Cook Islands Parliament.Members of Parliament (1958 - present) https://parliament.gov.ck/our-people/members/ parliament.gov.ck Parliament of the Cook Islands 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,http://www.cookislandsnews.com/2014/January/Wed15/local.htm#1401140106 Candidates set for Murienua re-run Emmanuel Samoglou Cook Islands News 2014-01-14 2014-01-28 27 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140227003846/http://www.cookislandsnews.com/2014/January/Wed15/local.htm#1401140106 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.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11289131 Cook Islanders head to the polls for snap election The New Zealand Herald 2014-07-07 2014-07-09 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714144622/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11289131 dead http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-04-30/cook-islands-prime-minister-henry-puna-deflects-claims-of-party-disunity/1303586 Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna deflects claims of party disunity ABC Radio Australia 2014-04-30 2014-07-09 Bishop resigned as education and tourism minister the day after the election was announcedhttp://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/242006/cooks-minister-bishop-resigns Cooks minister Bishop resigns Radio New Zealand International 2014-04-18 2014-07-09 and subsequently left the Cook Islands Party to form a new party.http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/243340/new-group-emerges-to-contest-cooks-election New group emerges to contest Cooks election Radio New Zealand International 2014-05-05 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.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/46616-fewer-candidates-running-in-2014-election/46616-fewer-candidates-running-in-2014-election Election call was 'selfish' Cook Islands News Emmanuel Samoglou 2014-04-17 2014-07-08http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-04-22/cook-islands-calls-early-election-amid-opposition-claims-government-faces-no-confidence/1299248 Cook Islands calls early election amid opposition claims government faces no confidence ABC Radio Australia 2014-04-22 2014-07-09 A list of candidates was publicly notified on 6 May.http://www.mfem.gov.ck/mfemdocs/stats/other-information/elections/336-candidates-duly-nominated-for-each-constituency/file Candidates Duly Nominated For Each Constituency Cook Islands Gazette 2014-05-06 2014-07-04 52 candidates contested the election, a decrease from 70 in 2010.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/46616-fewer-candidates-running-in-2014-election/46616-fewer-candidates-running-in-2014-election Fewer candidates run in 2014 election Cook Islands News Emmanuel Samoglou 2014-05-07 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.http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-05-15/cook-islands-snap-election-left-women-candidates-behind-advocacy-group/1311456 Cook Islands' snap election left women candidates behind: advocacy group ABC Radio Australia 2014-05-15 2014-07-09 10,394 people were enrolled to vote.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47411-election-campaigns-enter-home-stretch Election: Campaigns enter home stretch Cook Islands News Emmanuel Samoglou 2014-07-01 2014-07-04 Electoral system The 24 members of Parliament are elected in single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post system.http://www.parliament.gov.ck/members.html Members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands Parliament of the Cook Islands 2014-07-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20150510004411/http://www.parliament.gov.ck/members.html 10 May 2015 dead dmy-all http://www.pacwip.org/future-elections/cook-is/ Cook Islands Pacific Women in Politics 2014-07-09 Campaign The Cook Islands Party campaigned on its record in government,http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/248945/hopes-4-years-of-stability-leads-to-2nd-term-in-cook-islands Hopes 4 years of stability leads to 2nd term in Cook Islands Radio New Zealand International 2014-07-04 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,http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/248922/cash-food-crops-for-cooks-outer-islands Cash food crops for Cooks outer islands Radio New Zealand International 2014-07-04 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 abolishedhttp://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/249084/mp-wants-tax-free-pensions-for-cooks MP wants tax-free pensions for Cooks Radio New Zealand International 2014-07-07 2014-07-09 and for subsidies to promote tourism in the outer islands.http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/20140862/cooks-candidates-contend-elections Cooks candidates contend elections Radio New Zealand International 2014-07-08 2014-07-08 Both major parties, as well as independent candidates, used social media in an attempt to connect with younger voters.http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/247980/social-media-a-factor-in-cook-islands-poll Social media a factor in Cook Islands poll Radio New Zealand International 2014-06-23 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.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47588-election-campaigns-lacked-substance Election campaigns 'lacked substance' Emmanuel Samoglou Cook Islands News 2014-07-15 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. File:Cook Islands Parliament 2014.svg Democratic Party 3907 10 +2 Cook Islands Party 3497 12 –4 One Cook Islands Movement 790 2 New Titikaveka Oire 96 0 #FFFDD0 New Independents 73 0 0 65 0 10394 MFEM, MFEM By constituency Akaoa Cook Islands Party Teariki Heather 201 52.1 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Nooroa O Teariki Baker 185 47.9 386 Cook Islands Party Amuri-Ureia Cook Islands Party Toanui Isamaela 203 57.8 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Terepai Maoate Jnr 148 42.2 351 Cook Islands Party Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara One Cook Islands Movement Teina Bishop 204 68.2 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Teuira Manuela Ka 95 31.8 299 One Cook Islands Movement Cook Islands Party Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Albert Taaviri Kaitara Nicholas 292 53.1 Cook Islands Party John Henry 258 46.9 550 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Cook Islands Party Ivirua Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Jim Marurai Elected unopposed Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Manihiki Cook Islands Party Henry Puna 78 51.3 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Apii Piho 74 48.7 152 Cook Islands Party Matavera Cook Islands Party Kiriau Turepu 288 51.2 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Cassey Eggelton 275 48.8 563 Cook Islands Party Mauke Cook Islands Party Tai Tura 82 42.5 One Cook Islands Movement Tungane Williams 63 32.6 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Hugh Graham 48 24.9 193 Cook Islands Party Mitiaro Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Tangata Vavia 50 50.5 Cook Islands Party Tuakeu Tangatapoto 49 49.5 99 Murienua Democratic Party (Cook Islands) James Beer 225 50.4 Cook Islands Party Patrick Arioka 221 49.6 446 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Ngatangiia Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Tamaiva Tuavera 257 50.1 Cook Islands Party Atatoa Herman 183 35.7 Independent (politician) Ngateina Jasmine Mackenzie 73 14.2 513 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Cook Islands Party Nikao-Panama Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Ngamau Munokoa 415 64.1 Cook Islands Party Piritau Nga 234 35.9 651 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Oneroa Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Kareroa Wesley 117 63.6 Cook Islands Party Poroaiti Arokapiti 67 36.4 184 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Penrhyn Cook Islands Party Willie John 78 53.4 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Wilkie Rasmussen 68 46.6 146 Cook Islands Party Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Pukapuka-Nassau Cook Islands Party Tekii Lazaro 128 46.9 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Vai Peua 120 44.0 One Cook Islands Movement Tai Ravarua 25 9.2 273 Cook Islands Party Rakahanga Cook Islands Party Toka Hagai 39 63.9 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Taunga Toka 22 36.1 61 Cook Islands Party Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Ruaau Democratic Party (Cook Islands) William William Heather 386 61.1 Cook Islands Party David Akanoa 246 38.9 632 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Takuvaine-Tutakimoa Cook Islands Party Mark Brown 313 63.9 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Tuaputa Petero Dyer 177 36.1 490 Cook Islands Party Tamarua Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Tetangi Matapo 30 52.6 Cook Islands Party Tokorua Pareina 27 47.4 57 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Cook Islands Party Teenui-Mapumai Cook Islands Party Rose Toki-Brown 71 54.6 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Norman George 59 45.4 130 Cook Islands Party Independent (politician) Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua Cook Islands Party Nandi Glassie 88 54.7 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Eugene Tatuava 73 45.3 161 Cook Islands Party Titikaveka Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Selina Napa 337 48.1 Cook Islands Party Teariki Matenga 268 38.2 Titikaveka Oire Teava Iro 96 13.7 701 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Tupapa-Maraerenga One Cook Islands Movement George Angene 498 51.0 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Lee Harmon 282 28.9 Cook Islands Party Isaia Willie Jnr 197 20.2 977 One Cook Islands Movement Cook Islands Party Vaipae-Tautu Cook Islands Party Mona Ioane 178 50.9 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Kete Ioane 172 49.1 350 Cook Islands Party 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.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47638-cip-wins-majority-in-election Election: Puna in, Rasmussen out Emmanuel Samoglou Cook Islands News 2014-07-18 2014-07-20Cook 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.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47539-one-cook-islands-as-kingmaker One Cook Islands as kingmaker? Emmanuel Samoglou Cook Islands News 2014-07-10 2014-07-20http://www.mfem.gov.ck/preliminary-results-2014/53-statistics/other-information Final Results 2014 Ministry of Finance and Economic Management 2014-07-18 2014-07-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140724165453/http://www.mfem.gov.ck/preliminary-results-2014/53-statistics/other-information 24 July 2014 dead 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.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47633-election-cip-wins-in-tamarua Election: CIP inches ahead of Demos Briar Douglas Cook Islands News 2014-07-17 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.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47569-election-bitter-battle-likely-in-atiu Election: Bitter battle likely in Atiu Emmanuel Samoglou and Mark Ebrey Cook Islands News 2014-07-14 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.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47587-validity-of-late-postal-votes-questioned Validity of postal votes questioned Emmanuel Samoglou Cook Islands News 2014-07-15 2014-07-20 Preliminary figures indicated that turnout had declined to 73.3%, but this increased to 79% in the final results.http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47657-mysterious-votes-in-final-count Mysterious votes in final count Emmanuel Samoglou Cook Islands 2014-07-19 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.http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport//2014/July/07-16-01.htm Cook Island Elections See Only 73% Voter Turnout Emmanuel Samoglou Cook Islands News 2014-07-12 2014-07-20 The Democratic Party questioned the accuracy of the count, with its president, Sean Willis, saying:http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/250224/cooks-election-outcome-challenged Cooks election outcome challenged Radio New Zealand International 2014-07-21 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.http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/extra-votes-sees-return-of-cook-islands-party-government/1345507 Extra votes sees return of Cook Islands Party government ABC Radio Australia 2014-07-21 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.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."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