6 Oct 2006

Democratic Party gains majority in final results from Cook Islands election

11:08 am on 6 October 2006

A final result has been announced in the Cook Islands general election, with the Democratic Party confirmed the winner.

The Cook Islands' Chief Electoral Registrar, Terry Hagen, says counting for the final eight seats and all special votes from last week's poll was completed last night, and gazetted this morning.

The final count sees the Democratic Party winning 14 of the 24 seats in parliament, while the Cook Islands Party has eight seats, and the Independent CIP one.

There was one seat, Akaoa constituency, which was tied and will now go to a judicial recount on Monday.

Mr Hagen says the formation of government can now proceed.

"The Democratic Party now forms a majority government and, according to our constitution,parliament will be called within ninety days, pending any due petitions to the court which may arise within the next sevens days. Looking at last week's results, I think there was only a change in the Matavera constituency and the Akaoa constituency which ended up with a tie."