2013 Murienua by-election

A by-election was held in the Cook Islands electorate of Murienua on 19 September 2013.[1] The by-election was precipitated by the resignation of sitting MP Tom Marsters following his appointment as Queen's Representative.[2][3]

Planning for the by-election began immediately following the announcement of Marsters' appointment.[4] Initially the by-election was expected to happen in August, but it was later delayed until September.[3]

The election was contested by two candidates: the Cook Islands Party's Kaota Tuariki and the Democratic Party's James Beer.[5] It was won by Tuariki.[6]

Murienua by-election 2013  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Cook Islands | Kaota Tuariki | 219  | 53.0%  |
| Democratic | James Beer | 194  | 47.0%  |
Turnout | 413  | 79.9%  |

## Aftermath

[edit]

Allegations of electoral fraud, including late campaigning and treating, were raised shortly after the by-election.[7] On 1 October the Democratic party lodged an election petition.[8] A formal hearing of the petition was pre-empted by Tuariki's resignation,[9] precipitating the 2014 Murienua by-election.[10]

Following his resignation, the Democratic party lodged a complaint of bribery and treating against Tuariki with police.[11]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Murienua By-Election 2013". Cook Islands Ministry of Finance and Economic Management. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
2. ^ "Marsters appointed new QR". Cook Islands News. 2013-06-05. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
3. ^ a b "By-election next month". Cook Islands News. 2013-08-01. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
4. ^ "By-election planning begins". Cook Islands News. 2013-06-06. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
5. ^ "Murienua votes today". Cook Islands News. 2013-09-19. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
6. ^ "Tuariki wins Cook Islands by-election". Radio New Zealand International. 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
7. ^ Emmanuel Samoglou (2013-09-13). "Allegations of electoral fraud raised". Cook Islands News. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
8. ^ "Demos petition by-election results". Cook Islands News. 2013-10-01. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
9. ^ Emmanuel Samoglou (2013-12-07). "Tuariki resigns Murienua seat". Cook Islands News. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
10. ^ Emmanuel Samoglou (2013-12-17). "Back to the ballot box for Murienua". Cook Islands News. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
11. ^ Emmanuel Samoglou (2013-12-21). "Demos to lodge police complaint – by-election". Cook Islands News. Archived from the original on 2013-12-31. Retrieved 2014-01-28.

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