3 Nov 2006

Another result from the Cook Islands electoral petition hearings

9:28 am on 3 November 2006

The Cook Islands Party has so far failed in its attempts to reduce the number of seats won by the Democratic Party after the country's general election on the 26th of September.

CIP filed six petitions and the Democratic Party who won 14 of the 24 Parliamentary seats filed one for the Avatiu constiuency which they lost by a majority of 10 votes.

However, CIP who won eight seats withdrew their petition for Matavera and in the latest results have failed to reverse the Amuri-Ureia result held by Terepai Maoate Junior in Aitutaki.

New Zealand's Chief Justice David Williams, who heard the three allegations of bribery and two of treating against Mr Maoate JNR dismissed the petition saying the allegations had not been proven by the petitioner.

Justice Williams has however, reserved his judgement for the other Aitutaki seat of Vaipae-Tautu.

The petition for the northern group island of Manihiki will be heard on the 13th with Titikaveka on the main island Rarotonga three days later.

The Chief Justice is currently hearing the electoral petition in Mauke.