RAROTONA,20 DECEMBER 2018 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) – The Democratic Party is confident of returning to government in the “very near future” after Court of Appeal ruled a decision on Rakahanga seat in Tina Browne’s favour.
Party leader Browne appealed an earlier ruling made on her petition against Cook Islands Party’s Toka Hagai who has been found engaging in treating. Hagai’s election has been declared void by the court.
The winner is yet to be determined but it is likely Browne will gain the seat. And if this happens, it will give the Opposition party 11 seats with a possibility of regaining the Ivirua seat which is vacant following the death of Demo MP Tony Armstrong.
“This is a great outcome for the Democratic Party and we thank the judges Williams, Barker and White for delivering their fair and learned decision,” Democratic Party president Sean Willis said in statement.
“The Democratic Party is strong and we are confident of being returned to government in the very near future.”
Willis said he was grateful to all Democrats for their “unwavering support and patience” during the long wait for the Court of Appeal outcome.
“The words of encouragement from supporters, the staunch belief that the Court of Appeal would return a decision in favour of Tina Browne and the constant support from so many has been very reassuring,” he said.
