18 Nov 2010

Voting smooth in Cooks general election

2:33 pm on 18 November 2010

The Cook Islands electoral office says voting is going smoothly in today's general election.

The office says nearly all voters in the smaller outer islands constituencies have already cast their votes, but polling booths will remain open until 6pm local time.

Florence Syme Buchanan reports.

"All public servants have to be released at 4pm today to cast their vote but many have already chosen to do this during their lunchtimes. Like previous general elections, the electoral office is expecting a high voting turnout - between 90 to 98 percent. The results of the political reform referendum which is being held simultaneously with general elections wont be known for some days. There's speculation that what political reform groups on Rarotonga want in terms of political reform won't necessarily reflect the mood of the outer islands. Meanwhile on Rarotonga, major road works stopped for the day, there is little traffic flow and the island is eerily quiet - as if there is a wait on to either celebrate or commiserate later tonight."