2018 Cook Islands general election

The Cook Islands a self-governing island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. Its government uses the Westminster system, with the 24 members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands elected from single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting.[4] The Parliamentary term is four years. As of 12 June 2018, there were 10,917 people enrolled to vote in the elections.[5]

Final results were published on 28 June.[6]

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Cook Islands Party	3,654	42.30	10	–3
	Democratic Party	3,620	41.91	11	+2
	One Cook Islands Movement	934	10.81	1	–1
	Titikaveka Oire	97	1.12	0	0
	Alternative Must Ravenga Openga	7	0.08	0	New
	Independents	326	3.77	2	+2
Invalid/blank votes			–	–	–
Total		8,638	100	24	0
Registered voters/turnout				–	–
Source: MFRM

Although the Democratic Party won the most seats, neither leader Tina Browne nor Deputy Leader James Beer were elected to Parliament. The constitution of the Cook Islands requires the Prime Minister to be a member of parliament.[7]

On 7 July the Cook Islands party formed an alliance with independent MPs Rose Toki-Brown and Robert Tapaitau, and One Cook Islands movement's George Maggie to retain power.[8] Toki-Brown, Tapaitau and Maggie were all appointed to Cabinet, replacing Ministers who had lost their seats.

Six electoral petitions were filed, challenging the results in Rakahanga, Murienua, Pukapuka-Nassau, Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston, Ngatangiia, and Mauke.[9] However, all of these petitions were rejected, confirming the result of the election.[10] Rakahanga MP Toka Hagai resigned on 1 November 2018 after allegations of treating.[11] In December 2018 the Court of Appeal ruled that Tina Browne had won the seat.[12]