Cook Islands general election, 2006
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in the Cook Islands
on September 27, 2006 in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament
. The Democratic Party
remained in power, winning 15 of 24 seats. A total of 8,497 voters turned out to vote.
The election was called two years early after the ruling Democratic party lost its majority in Parliament. In July 2006, Environment Minister Teina Bishop
resigned from Cabinet and joined the opposition Cook Islands Party
. Shortly afterwards, the Cook Islands Party won a by-election in Matevera, eliminating the government's majority. The government pre-empted a formal vote of no-confidence by dissolving Parliament and calling an election.
Cook Islands Party leader Sir Geoffrey Henry
announced his retirement during the campaign, resulting in his replacement as leader of the opposition by Tom Marsters
. Cook Islands Party MP Wilkie Rasmussen
switched his allegiance to the Democratic Party during the campaign, and the CIP was unable to nominate a replacement candidate. As a result, the seat of Penrhyn was unopposed.
Initial results showed the Democratic Party winning 15 seats, and the Cook Islands Party 8, with one seat being held by an independent and one seat tied. A number of electoral petitions were filed, resulting in by-elections being held in the seats of Akaoa and Titikaveka.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
on September 27, 2006 in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament
Parliament of the Cook Islands
The Parliament of the Cook Islands is the legislature of the Cook Islands. Originally established under New Zealand colonial rule, it became the national legislature on independence in 1965....
. The Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Cook Islands)
The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...
remained in power, winning 15 of 24 seats. A total of 8,497 voters turned out to vote.
The election was called two years early after the ruling Democratic party lost its majority in Parliament. In July 2006, Environment Minister Teina Bishop
Teina Bishop
Teina Bishop is a Cook Islands politician and Cabinet Minister. He represents the constituency of Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu....
resigned from Cabinet and joined the opposition Cook Islands Party
Cook Islands Party
The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....
. Shortly afterwards, the Cook Islands Party won a by-election in Matevera, eliminating the government's majority. The government pre-empted a formal vote of no-confidence by dissolving Parliament and calling an election.
Cook Islands Party leader Sir Geoffrey Henry
Geoffrey Henry
Sir Geoffrey Arama Henry KBE is a Cook Island politician who was twice the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He was leader of the Cook Islands Party from 1979 to 2006.-Early life:...
announced his retirement during the campaign, resulting in his replacement as leader of the opposition by Tom Marsters
Tom Marsters
Tom John Marsters is a Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party.-Personal life:...
. Cook Islands Party MP Wilkie Rasmussen
Wilkie Rasmussen
Wilkie Olaf Patua Rasmussen is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is deputy leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party, and represents the constituency of Penrhyn....
switched his allegiance to the Democratic Party during the campaign, and the CIP was unable to nominate a replacement candidate. As a result, the seat of Penrhyn was unopposed.
Initial results showed the Democratic Party winning 15 seats, and the Cook Islands Party 8, with one seat being held by an independent and one seat tied. A number of electoral petitions were filed, resulting in by-elections being held in the seats of Akaoa and Titikaveka.