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November 1983 Cook Islands general election

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November 1983 Cook Islands general election
Cook Islands
← March 1983 2 November 1983 1989 →

24 seats in the Parliament
13 seats needed for a majority
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
Democratic Thomas Davis 48.5 13 +2
Cook Islands Geoffrey Henry 48.3 11 −2
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Geoffrey Henry
CIP
Thomas Davis
DP

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 2 November 1983. The result was a victory for the Democratic Party, which won 13 of the 24 seats. A coalition government was formed with the opposition Cook Islands Party, with Democratic Party leader Thomas Davis as prime minister and CIP leader Geoffrey Henry as deputy prime minister. Henry was later replaced with Terepai Maoate.

Background

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In the March 1983 elections, the CIP had won a 13–11 majority in Parliament, resulting in CIP leader Geoffrey Henry becoming prime minister. Shortly after the elections, the Democratic Party MP for Atiu lost their seat after a successful petition against the result in the constituency, increasing the CIP majority to three. A court case also began as Henry had failed to resign from office within the first seven days of the parliamentary session and seek re-appointment, as required by the constitution. This was initially viewed as a technicality due to the CIP majority in Parliament. However, in July CIP MP Matapo Matapo died and Tupui Henry left the CIP to sit with the Democratic Party, resulting in an 11–11 tie. The final verdict of the Court of Appeal was announced on 29 July, requiring Henry to resign.

Without a majority, Henry resigned on 2 August. Queen's Representative Gaven Donne convened a series of votes to determine who could attain a parliamentary majority, with the vote on 10 August ending as 11 each for Geoffrey and Tupui Henry. With the Atiu by-election – almost certain to be won by the Democratic Party – due on 12 August, Donne asked the two leaders to wait until the by-election for Matapo's seat before a government was appointed. Tupui Henry and Leader of the Opposition Vincent Ingram agreed in the belief that they could win Matapo's former constituency. However, Geoffrey Henry declined. This resulted in Donne dissolving Parliament on 17 August, calling fresh elections for November, and appointing Geoffrey Henry as caretaker prime minister with restricted powers.[1]

Campaign

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Prior to the elections, Tupui Henry formed a new party, the Cook Islands Party for Alliance, which put forward seven candidates.[2] The Unity Party nominated three candidates, one of whom withdrew before polling day.[2] Following the elections earlier in the year, the CIP did not publish a new manifesto as its policies had not changed.[2]

Results

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Deputy Prime Minister George Ellis and minister Fanaura Kingstone were amongst the incumbent MPs losing their seats.[2]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Party48.513+2
Cook Islands Party48.311–2
Cook Islands Party for Alliance0New
Unity Party00
Total240
Registered voters/turnout93.4
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

By electorate

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Constituency Candidate Votes %
Amuri–Ureia Kura Strickland 154 54.04
Paora Teiti 99 34.74
Joseph Williams 32 11.23
Arutanga–Reureu–Nikaupara Ngereteina Puna 186 58.31
Tatevano Tatevano 105 32.92
Nikau Tangaroa 28 8.78
Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston Thomas Davis 234 50.00
Rei Jack 227 48.50
Louise Eikura Graham 7 1.50
Ivirua Papamama Pokino 119 75.32
Taataiti Tangatakino 39 24.68
Manihiki Ebinisa Ben Toma 112 53.85
George Frederick Ellis Jr. 95 45.67
Temu Ngarima George 1 0.48
Matavera William Papa Cowan 148 51.93
Ngatungane Maximus Pierre 137 48.07
Mauke Vaine Tereapii Tairea 95 35.19
Mana Strickland 79 29.26
Temaeva Karati 61 22.59
Tupui Ariki Henry 35 12.96
Mitiaro Ngatupuna David 67 54.47
Tiki Tetava 56 45.53
Murienua Jimmy Mareiti 286 52.38
William Heather 198 36.26
Hugh McCrone Ngamata Henry 62 11.36
Ngatangiia Terepai Maoate 177 75.32
Iaveta Short 166 24.68
Nikao–Panama Vincent Ingram 320 55.94
Tina Pupuke Browne 252 44.06
Oneroa Matepi Toru Matepi 239 76.36
Metuakore Ruatoe 74 23.64
Penrhyn Tangaroa Tangaroa 162 65.32
Tini Soa Joseph Snr. 86 34.68
Pukapuka–Nassau Inatio Akaruru 281 72.80
Waleeu Wuatai 82 21.24
Kautoki Katoa 23 5.96
Rakahanga Pupuke Robati 101 68.24
Arahu Tuteru 47 31.76
Ruaau Raymond Pirangi 182 39.74
Tauei Solomon 156 34.06
Tauei Harry Napa 120 26.20
Takuvaine–Tutakimoa Geoffrey Henry 335 52.02
Frederick Tutu Goodwin 307 47.67
Michael Tavioni 2 0.31
Tamarua Tearapiri Teaurima 62 58.49
Ruti Matapo 44 41.51
Teenui–Mapumai Tangata Simiona 112 51.38
Metuaangai Teritaiti 106 48.62
Tengatangi–Areora–Ngatiarua Norman George 153 58.40
Neville Walker Isherwood Pearson 109 41.60
Titikaveka Teariki Matenga 257 53.65
Tekaotiki Matapo 222 46.35
Tupapa–Maraerenga Teanua Dan Kamana 362 56.30
Teariki Piri 281 43.70
Vaipae–Tautu Bill Paiti 262 78.21
Maramatoa Turi 66 19.70
Banaba Samuel 7 2.09
Overseas Iaveta Arthur 330 58.51
Fanaura Kingstone 225 39.89
Mataio Emil Nielson 9 1.60
Source:[3][4][5][6][7]

Aftermath

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Following the elections, the result in the constituency of Ruaau was declared void due to treating by an unsuccessful candidate.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Cook Islands 1983: The year of voting repeatedly Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1983, p18
  2. ^ a b c d Mirror image change of government in the Cook Islands Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1983, pp51–52
  3. ^ "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 103/83". Library of Congress. 5 November 1983.
  4. ^ "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 106/83". Library of Congress. 8 November 1983.
  5. ^ "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 109/83". Library of Congress. 10 November 1983.
  6. ^ "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 111/83". Library of Congress. 13 November 1983.
  7. ^ "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 113/83". Library of Congress. 14 November 1983.
  8. ^ "In re Ruaau Constituency (No 4) (1983) CKHC 7; Misc 104.1983". 1983-12-05. Retrieved 2009-03-22.