The leaders of the two political parties in the Cook Islands agree that passing legislation to stop party hopping is a priority.
The comments come ahead of next week's early general election in which nearly 10,000 people will choose a new parliament.
The election was called in July by the Queen's Representative, Sir Fred Goodwin.
He acted despite the opposition party winning a by-election in Matavera to give it a majority to form a new government.
However, the leader of CIP Henry Puna says its first task would be to pass the budget and then look at a comprehensive legislation to stop party hopping.
"And if necessary we will make that retrospective before the elections because some MP's might take advantage of the gap between now and when the legislation is passed to play their games."
