Members of the Cook Islands First party in the southern island of Atiu are backing the speaker of parliament, Norman George, in an expected upcoming by-election.
The Cook Islands News reports the party members in the
constituency of Teenui Mapumai in Atiu reached a unanimous decision.
The current member of parliament and CIF member Upoko Simpson is expected to step down next month owing to ill health.
The Democratic Party says it will field a candidate in any by-election in which Mr George is standing.
Mr George is ambitious to be elected as an MP again after losing his seat in Atiu at last year's general election.
