There is confusion in the Cook Islands over who is the official Democratic Party candidate in the constituency of Atiu.
The MP for the island, Norman George was sacked from the Democratic Party on Tuesday, after he failed to dislodge Eugene Tatuava as the official candidate.
But Mr George has since been readmitted to the party, following a meeting of the Democratic caucus and national executives.
Mr Tatuava says Mr George is back in the party as a member only, and will have to stand as an independent candidate.
But Mr George says instead they will both be official democratic candidates.
"No, he is a competing candidate, he doesn't have a say - I am going to stand as a Democratic Party candidate and Eugene has no right to object to that. It's been accepted that he can run as Democratic, I can run as Democratic and may the best man win."
Cook Islands MP Norman George
