Ruling party secures 5th term in Cook Islands general election

Cook Islands caretaker Prime Minister Mark Brown's Cook Islands Party (CIP) secured a fifth consecutive election victory, allowing it to remain in government after defeating the opposition Cook Islands United Party in Wednesday's parliamentary election.The CIP garnered 11 seats as against four seats for the opposition, with seven seats going to independents, as the preliminary results were broadcast live on Facebook by Cook Islands Television News.The last seat will be decided on Thursday afternoon when voters on the Nassau island cast their ballots following delayed voting due to bad weather.As 13 seats are needed for a party or coalition to form a new government, the Cook Islands Party has to turn to independent lawmakers or the opposition for support.The CIP was tasked with government formation following the last four general elections from November 2010 to August 2022. Source(s): Xinhua News Agency