A Cook Islands constituency without an MP for five months has now formally had the Democratic Party's Tangata Vavia warranted in the position.
In the original poll in July the Cook Islands Party's Tuakeu Tangatapoto and Mr Vavia, had tied with 50 votes each.
Don Wiseman has more:
"Mr Vavia last week, after a recount, was named the winner by one vote, but there was a petition and counter petition still to be heard. Those issues have now been resolved and electoral official, Taggy Tangimetua, says Mr Vavia is officially the island's MP. This comes as the Court of Appeal has ruled the election of the Cook Islands Party's Moana Ioane in the Aitutaki seat of Vaipae-Tautu is void. It has ordered a by-election. Ms Tangimetua says no date has been set but because of the Christmas break it may not be held until February next year. The changes mean the Cook Islands Party is now a minority government, with 11 of the 24 seats."
Mitiaro Island, Cook Islands Photo: Free google search image
