Pacific

Shut out political hopefuls arrange run off selection in Cook Islands seat

14:11 pm on 20 August 2010

Three election hopefuls in the Cook Islands have organised a run off selection for the Democratic Party nomination in Ngatangiia after concerns over the way the sitting MP, Sir Terepai Maoate, was confirmed as its candidate last May.

The three, Iaveta Short, Stephen Peyroux and Mann Short called a meeting yesterday to confirm dates and the process for a run-off selection set for next Wednesday.

All candidates will be given 10 minutes to outline their policies for the village and country at the run-off.

Iaveta Short says Sir Terepai is welcome to put his name forward.

The trio say Sir Terepai's nomination was flawed because it wasn't publically advertised, no one was given the opportunity to challenge the candidacy, and the sitting MP had earlier promised to retire this year.