A by-election was held in the Cook Islands electorate of Penrhyn on 12 March 2024. [1] The by-election was triggered by the conviction of MP Robert Tapaitau for fraud in January 2024. [2] The by-election was won by Sarakura Tapaitau. [3]
The Cook Islands United Party announced that it would not stand a candidate. [1] The Cook Islands Party announced that it had selected Vaine Iriano Wichman. [4] Other candidates were Meremere Arake Tonitara for the Democratic Party, and Sarakura Tapaitau and Tangata Andrew Vaeau as independents. [5]
113 voters were registered for the poll. [6]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent | Sarakura Tapaitau | 37 | 34.3 | ||
Cook Islands | Vaine Wichman | 34 | 31.5 | ||
Democratic | Meremere Arake Tonitara | 20 | 18.5 | ||
Independent | Tangata Andrew Vaeau | 17 | 15.7 | ||
Majority | 3 | ||||
Turnout | 108 | 95.6 | |||
Independent hold | Swing |