21 Oct 2003

Second by-election to be held this year in the Cook Islands

1:38 pm on 21 October 2003

A second by-election is to be held in the Cook Islands this year.

The by-election has been set for November the 20th in the Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara constituency in the outer island of Aitutaki.

The seat became vacant after MP, Teina Bishop, resigned earlier this year in protest over reduced budget allocations for Aitutaki.

Mr Bishop has confirmed that he'll contest the by-election despite his resignation.

He says he won't be standing for any party nor will he conduct any campaigning prior to going to the polls.

The country has had five different governments since the general elections in 1999.