The looming election in the Cook Islands has reignited calls for parliamentary reform with concerns over the number of politicians representing a shrinking population.
Current Cook Islands Prime Minister, Henry Puna. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Koroi Hawkins
The Cook Islands Electoral Office has announced 58 candidates will stand for 24 seats in the 14 June polls.
The incumbent Cook Islands Party and the main opposition Democratic Party will put forward 23 candidates each.
The remaining candidates come from the minor One Cook Islands Party, independent candidates and two smaller groups known as Titikaveka Oire and 'Alternative Must Ravenga Openga' which are contesting one seat each.
Ous correspondent Florence Syme Buchanan said local people were questioning the size and cost of a 24 seat parliament.
"The country does really need to undergo political reform. We need to reduce the number of seats in parliament. When you have a member of parliament who will be voted in with a constituency of just 58 it's bordering on the ridiculous, the cost of our parliament, of our 24 seats."
It is compulsory to be on the electoral roll but not to vote, however the turn out is usually around 80 percent.
The 2016 census counted a Cook Islands population of just under 17,500 people.
