This article is part of a series on the politics and government of the Cook Islands |
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A referendum on reducing the number of MPs was held in the Cook Islands on 17 November 2010, alongside the general elections. [1] It failed at the ballot.
The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres (92.7 sq mi). The Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers 1,800,000 square kilometres (690,000 sq mi) of ocean.
The binding referendum required a two-thirds majority to pass. [2] However, it was unsuccessful, receiving only 4,983 votes and 59.2% support (of all votes, 63.8% of valid votes). [3] Abstention was rather high, with 623 votes or 7.4% blank or invalid. [4]
According to a poll published by the Cook Islands News on 11 September 2010, 76% of respondents supported the referendum proposal. [5] A number of politicians publicly stated their support for the referendum proposal, including Democratic Party Leader Robert Wigmore and Cook Islands Party deputy leader Teina Bishop. [6]
The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. As a result of the 2018 Cook Islands election, it is currently the largest party in the Cook Islands Parliament.
Robert George Wigmore was a Cook Islands politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and Cabinet Minister. He was leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party.
The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the islands' politics since 1965.
Choice | Votes | % |
---|---|---|
2,822 | 36.20 | |
Yes | 4,983 | 63.80 |
Required majority | 66.67 | |
Valid votes | 7,795 | 92.60 |
Invalid or blank votes | 623 | 7.40 |
Total votes | 8,418 | 100.00 |
Registered voters and turnout | 10,500 | 78.00 |
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