18 Aug 2016

Cook Islands by-election date set

7:14 pm on 18 August 2016

The Cook Islands Chief Electoral Officer has announced a by-election in Aitutaki's Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara constituency on 13 October.

Cook Islands Parliament

Cook Islands Parliament Photo: Supplied

The seat is vacant after the One Cook Islands leader Teina Bishop was found guilty of corruption as a minister of the Crown in the High Court last month.

The guilty verdict handed down by a panel of eleven jurors ended three years of investigations by Cook Islands Police and the New Zealand Serious Fraud office.

One Cook Islands Party leader Teina Bishop

One Cook Islands Party leader Teina Bishop Photo: Phillipa Webb / Cook Islands News

Nomination of candidates for the by-election close on 1 September.

Bishop has indicated he may appeal.

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