The final count has begun in the Cook Islands general election.
But the full and final election result and the result of the referendum on reducing the number of seats in parliament are not expected to be announced for another three days.
Jo O'Brien reports
"Votes from the outer islands have arrived in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands Electoral Office says it has begun the final election count. It says it expects to be able to announce the results in nine constituencies this evening and further results on the following two days. But it says the completed results of the election and of the referendum, which was held on election day, will not be announced until Friday local time. The preliminary election result gave the Cook Islands Party 15 seats, the ruling Democratic Party eight seats, with one seat tied. The deputy leader of the Democratic Party Wilkie Rasmussen says he is hopeful his party could secure another two seats after the final count, but says it's unlikely to overturn the Cook Islands Party's majority."
