The re-scheduled by election in the Cook Islands is to be held on March 31st.
This follows the sudden death last week of one of the two candidates, the Democratic Party's Kete Ioane, while he was in Auckland for hospital treatment.
Cook Islands Democratic Party Logo Photo: Cook Islands Democratic Party
Mr Ioane's funeral was held last Thursday on Aitutaki and the party's deputy leader, William Heather, says there was a real feeling of loss in the community.
He says it is now up to the party's committee in the Vaipae-Tautu constituency on Aitutaki to choose the right candidate to contest the poll.
A successful outcome for the Democrats in the by-election could lead to them assuming power in a coalition government.
