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2010 Cook Islands general election
General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 17 November 2010[1] in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The elections were won by the Cook Islands Party, which won 16 of the 24 seats.[2] Voter turnout was 78%.[3] A binding referendum on whether the number of MPs should be reduced from 24 was held at the same time as the election.[4] Parliament will sit for the first time following the election in February 2011.[5] BackgroundThe Democratic Party government of Prime Minister Jim Marurai, which had governed since 2004, effectively collapsed in December 2009 after Finance Minister Terepai Maoate was sacked for his mishandling of a bid to buy the Toa fuel tank farm. This resulted in a mass-resignation of Democratic Party cabinet members,[6][7] the expulsion of Marurai and his supporters, and the withdrawal of support for the government.[8] Marurai then refused to reconvene Parliament in order to forestall a confidence vote.[9] A formal split in the Democratic Party was averted in June 2010 when a party conference readmitted Marurai and the other Cabinet members, and appointed Deputy Prime Minister Robert Wigmore as party leader, with Wilkie Rasmussen as his deputy.[10] However, several senior MPs, including former leader Terepai Maoate and former President John Tangi subsequently failed to win reselection and ran as independents.[11][12] In the leadup to the election two sitting MPs announced their retirement: Piho Rua[13] and Speaker of the House Mapu Taia.[12] Both were members of the Democratic Party. Parliament was dissolved on 24 September.[14] Candidate registration closed on 15 October. 70 candidates registered, including 24 from the Cook Islands Party, 23 from the Democrats, 6 from the Te Kura O Te ‘Au People's Movement and 16 independents.[15] Of the 70 candidates, eight were women.[16] CampaignThe Democratic Party launched its campaign on October 7 in vaka Takitumu[17] with the campaign slogan "Our Future. Now."[18] The party promised stability,[18] benefit increases, and public service cuts.[19] It contested every electorate except Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu.[17] The Cook Islands Party launched their campaign on October 8, promising an increased child benefit, a $1000 "baby bonus", water tanks for every household and to address the cost of living.[20] They also promised to prevent "reckless" public spending by making Ministers and public servants personally liable for any misspent funds.[21] Opinion pollsOn 11 September 2010, a poll of 182 voters conducted by the Cook Islands News reported that the Democratic Party had 33% support, the Cook Islands Party 26%, and independents 14%.[22] The margin of error of the poll was 7%.[23] A poll of 100 Rarotongans conducted by the Cook Islands Herald on 1 November found that 24% named Democratic Party leader Robert Wigmore as their preferred Prime Minister, 18% preferred Wilkie Rasmussen, 8% Prime Minister Jim Marurai, 5% Cook Islands Party leader Henry Puna, 2% CIP deputy Teina Bishop and 10% others, with 33% undecided.[24] ResultsThe election resulted in a two-thirds majority for the Cook Islands Party.[25] Following the election, CIP leader Henry Puna was sworn in as Prime Minister.[26] Four electoral petitions were subsequently lodged, challenging the results in the electorates of Pukapuka-Nassau, Rakahanga, Tamarua and Vaipae-Tautu.[27] The petitions were heard in January and February 2011. The results in Rakahanga[28] and Tamarua[29] were upheld. Pukapuka-Nassau held a new election in 2011.
By electorate
See alsoReferences
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