The Cook Islands face another by-election in the New Year, this time in the Titikaveka electorate on the main island Rarotonga.
The Titikaveka by-election comes after Cook Islands Party candidate Tiki Matapo challlenged the legality of the Democratic Party's Robert Wigmore, to run in this year election.
Elma MaUa has more
"This next vote will be the second by-election after the September general poll."
Earlier a new vote was needed in the tied seat of Akaoa, which was eventually won by the Cook Islands Party's Teariki Heather. In Titikaveka, Mr Wigmore appealed, but lost, a decision over the legality of his win because, at the time of the election, he was still a board member for the Cook Islands Investment Corporation, and should have resigned as a public servant. The presiding judge has now ordered a by-election which will be held on the seventh of February 2007. The six electoral petitions which were lodged after the general election have now been heard which leaves the Democratic Party holding 14 seats, Cook Islands Party eight, and independent one.
