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2017 Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston by-election

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2017 Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston by-election

← 2014 17 May 2017 2018 →
 
DP
Nominee Albert Nicholas Teina Rongo
Party Cook Islands Democratic
Popular vote 346 182
Percentage 62.34% 32.79%

MP before election

Albert Nicholas
Cook Islands

Elected MP

Albert Nicholas
Cook Islands

A by-election was held in the Cook Islands constituency of Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston on 17 May 2017. The by-election was precipitated by the resignation of Albert Nicholas. It was won by Albert Nicholas.[1]

Background

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In the July 2014 general election the contest for Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston (or "RAPPA") saw sitting Cook Islands Party MP John Henry unseated by the Democratic Party challenger Albert Nicholas. Following the election, Nicholas switched his support to the government of Henry Puna in exchange for a position in cabinet.[2] He was subsequently expelled from the Democratic Party.[3] Continued controversy about the ethics of "vaka-jumping" saw him resign his seat in April 2017 in an effort to gain a new mandate.[4]

Nicholas was selected as the Cook Islands Party candidate, a decision which saw former CIP candidate John Henry run as an independent.[5] The Democrats selected Teina Rongo, a former public servant.

The election was won by Albert Nicholas.[1]

Results

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CandidatePartyVotes%
Albert NicholasCook Islands Party34662.34
Teina RongoDemocratic Party18232.79
John HenryIndependent274.86
Total555100.00
Source: [6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Cooks' Nicholas has big win in by-election". RNZ. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  2. ^ Phillipa Webb (16 March 2015). "Nicholas jumps to the other side". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Defecting MP expelled from Cook Islands Democratic party". RNZ. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Resigned Cooks Minister expected to contest by-election". RNZ. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  5. ^ Richard Moore (11 May 2017). "Voter backlash ahead - former RAPPA MP". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  6. ^ "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 44/2017" (PDF). Parliament of the Cook Islands. 22 May 2017.