The Cook Islands MP, Teina Bishop, whose resignation prompted a by-election in his Aitutaki constituency, Arutanga/Reureu/Nikaupara , has been declared the new MP for the seat.
Mr Bishop, who resigned as a protest against what he considered the government's inadequate budget allocation for Aitutaki, was declared the new member after his nomination was the only one filed by the deadline last Friday.
Mr Bishop, who stood as an independent, was sworn in at Parliament early this afternoon.
The Democratic Party which was expected to challenge for the seat, failed to file a nomination after its proposed candidate, Ronald Henry, left for New Zealand two weeks ago.