The Cook Islands Office of the Prime Minister has confirmed that the two independent candidates will shortly be sworn in by the Queens Representative as ministers in the caretaker government.
Rose Brown Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Florence Syme-Buchanan
An official, Edwin Pittman, said Rose Brown and Robert Tapaitau will be sworn in following negotiations with the caretaker government.
It's likely that at least one of the independent candidates will be given a senior cabinet post which could include deputy prime minister.
It could not be confirmed where One Cook Islands winning candidate George Maggie stands politically and whether he remains unaligned.
Until Mr Maggie's position is confirmed, the Cook Islands Party caretaker government holds 12 seats, the opposition Democratic Party 11 and a seat to One Cook Islands.
Political insiders say the Cook Islands Party worked quickly to woo the independent candidates over while the Democratic Party struggled to settle internal leadership issues.
