RAROTONGA, 19 DECEMBER 2018 (RADIO COOK ISLANDS) – The Cook Islands Elections Office is hoping to finalise results regarding the Rakahanga seat by end of business tomorrow (Friday Cook Islands time).
The court of appeal has rendered the election of Cook Islands Party’s Toka Hagai as void and struck off 26 names off the Electoral Roll.
Chief Electoral Officer Taggy Tangimetua told CITV that the Elections Office was trying to understand the ruling with the help of Crown Law.
She says after all necessary scrutiny and paperwork; the Elections Office is most likely to announce the eventual seat holder in Rakahanga. She says they need directions in regards to this matter and therefore will have to be careful that they follow the instructions given by the court.
The Court of Appeal ruling is clear that CIP’s Toka Hagai’s election is now void. In its second recommendation the court has given directions to the Elections Office to have 26 names struck off the Electoral list.
These are names of 26 people who attended a rally organised by Hagai. However, the votes of these 26 individuals are confidential and not clear who they may have voted for. The Elections Office will now proceed to have these names struck off and a recount will happen.
If Democratic Party’s Tina Browne has more votes after the recount, she will be declared the winner of the Rakahanga seat. In the case if Hagai still holds majority of the vote, a by-election will take place since his election has been declared void.
