Key facts
- Preliminary results show the Cook Islands Party has secured 12 of 24 seats.
- Prime Minister Mark Brown leads the Cook Islands Party.
- Voting in Nassau was delayed due to weather.
- Results from Nassau are still pending.
- The Cook Islands Party is poised to retain parliamentary control.
- The election involves 24 seats in parliament.
Preliminary results from the Cook Islands general election indicate that Prime Minister Mark Brown's Cook Islands Party is poised to retain parliamentary control. The party has secured 12 of the 24 seats that have been counted so far. However, the final outcome of the election remains uncertain as voting in the Nassau constituency was delayed due to adverse weather conditions. The results from Nassau are still pending and will be crucial in determining the final seat distribution and the formation of the next government. The current preliminary count shows a near-even split, with the Cook Islands Party holding exactly half of the contested seats. This suggests that the party may need to form a coalition or rely on support from independent members if they do not secure the remaining seat in Nassau. The election process involved voters casting ballots across various islands, with the anticipation of a clear mandate for the incoming government. The delay in Nassau highlights the logistical challenges of conducting elections in the Pacific nation, which is susceptible to weather disruptions. The Electoral Commission is expected to announce the final results once all votes are tallied, including those from Nassau.