There are now only four seats in the Cook Islands out of 24 which are still to undergo a final count.
They are expected to be finished today, a week after the general elections were held.
Linda Skates reports.
"PLAY COOKS RAKAHANGA VCR"
IN: The seat of Rakahanga which had a split vote in the preliminarys, has been won by the independent, Piho Rua, from the former Speaker of the House, Sir Pupuke Raobati. And, although special votes were epected to alter the outcomes in some of the ten constituencies where fewer than twenty votes seperated candidates, the final count mostly confirmed preliminary results. The two exceptions so far are the former prime minister, Dr Robert Woonton, and the former Health Minister, Peri Vaevae Pare. They both came from behind to take their seats in close contests. The prime minister's adviser, Norman George, was not so lucky, losing in the final count although it's understood he may well appeal. The Democratic Party now has fourteen seats to the Cook Islands Party's nine.
