Preliminary results from a by-election yesterday in the Cooks Islands indicate that veteran politician Norman George has been re-elected to parliament.
Mr George, who was defeated in the 2004 elections, has a big lead over his nearest rival, the Cook Islands Party's Vaine Paretoa - in the Atiu seat.
Mr George, who is the parliament's Speaker, stood as an independent.
The foreign minister, Wilkie Rasmussen says the by-election result, which is be confirmed later today, will not affect the governing coalition's majority.
