A by-election was held in the Cook Islands constituency of Mitiaro on 11 November 2014.[1]

In the July 2014 general election, the contest for the Mitiaro seat resulted in a tie. Incumbent MP Tangata Vavia, of the Democratic Party, received 50 votes, but so did Cook Islands Party challenger Tuakeu Tangatapoto. The tie was confirmed by a recount, prompting the High Court to call a by-election[2]

The same two candidates stood in the by-election. The by-election took place, but counting was delayed due to a legal challenge by the Cook Islands Party.[3] The court ultimately ruled that one person had voted illegally in the Mitiaro constituency in the general election, and invalidated that person's ballot. This resulted in Democratic Party candidate Tangata Vavia being declared elected by 50 votes to 49, on the basis of the July vote. The ballots cast during the by-election were discarded without having been counted.[4][5]

November 2014 by-election result

Not counted. Seat awarded to Tangata Vavia on a recount of the July result.

July 2014 general election result

Cook Islands general election, 2014: Mitiaro
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tangata Vavia 50 50.0
Cook Islands Tuakeu Tangatapoto 50 50.0
Turnout 100

References

  1. ↑ "Cook Islands set by-election date for Mitiaro", Radio New Zealand, 7 October 2014
  2. ↑ "Mitiaro by-election now in November", Radio New Zealand International, 25 September 2014
  3. ↑ "Mitiaro decision in Cooks due this week", Radio New Zealand International, 20 November 2014
  4. ↑ "Mitiaro recount favours Cooks Democrats", PINA, 4 December 2014
  5. ↑ "Cook Islands Court Confirms Mitiaro Seat Belongs To Demos". Pacific Islands Report. 18 December 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
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