The Cook Islands government says the date of this year's elections was chosen so it didn't conflict with anniversary celebrations.
This week the Queen's Representative, on advice from the government, announced that elections would be held on June 14.
The government's four-year term was due to end in July.
Cook Islands finance minister Mark Brown Photo: Cook Islands News
But senior cabinet minister Mark Brown said it was thought best to bring voting forward.
"The government's thought was it's best to have the election in June as it would be held then before we have our annual celebrations for the self-government that are normally at the end of July and into August," he said.
"The thinking was, let's get the elections held and out of the way so it doesn't disrupt the celebrations that will be held later in the year when all of the outer islands will be coming to Rarotonga."