Cook Islands Member of Parliament reduction referendum, 2010

A referendum on reducing the number of MPs was held in the Cook Islands on 17 November 2012, alongside the general elections.^[1] It failed at the ballot.

Background

The binding referendum required a two-thirds majority to pass.^[2] However, it was unsuccessful, receiving only 4,983 votes and 59.2% support (of all votes, 63.8% of valid votes).^[3] Abstention was rather high, with 623 votes or 7.4% blank or invalid.^[4]

Poll

According to a poll published by the Cook Islands News on 11 September 2010, 76% of respondents supported the referendum proposal.^[5] A number of politicians publicly stated their support for the referendum proposal, including Democratic Party Leader Robert Wigmore and Cook Islands Party deputy leader Teina Bishop.^[6]

Results

Cook Islands Member of Parliament reduction referendum, 2010[7]
Choice	Votes	%
No	2,822	36.20
Yes	4,983	63.80
Required majority	66.67
Valid votes	7,795	92.60
Invalid or blank votes	623	7.40
Total votes	8,418	100.00
Registered voters and turnout	10,500	78.00

References

1. "Cooks referendum during November election". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
2. "Referendum is on!". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
3. "Final results give Cook Islands Party two-thirds majority". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-11-29. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
4. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=14342145444cf448b2f37865f12183
5. "76% want seats cut". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
6. "MPs, hopefuls support reform". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
7. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=14342145444cf448b2f37865f12183