The Cook Islands electoral office says the counting of votes in a by-election on the outer island of Mitiaro has been put on hold pending court action.
The by-election has the potential to produce a hung parliament.
It follows an election night tie in July between Tuakeu Tangatapoto of the Cook Islands Party and the island's previous Member of Parliament, Tangata Vavia.
Mitiaro Island, Cook Islands Photo: Free google search image
If the Democratic Party wins the by-election, the One Cook Islands Movement, with its two seats, could be king maker.
The Chief Electoral Officer, Taggy Tangimetua, has told the Cook Islands News that the vote counting and the declaration of the result will be deferred pending a court order.
