General elections were held in the

Cook Islands ) , image_map = Cook Islands on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , capital = Avarua , coordinates = , largest_city = Avarua , official_languages = , langu ...

on 2 November 1983. The result was a victory for the

Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...

, which won 13 of the 24 seats. A coalition government was formed with the opposition

Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the islands' politics since 1965. From 1999 until 2005 it sometimes ...

, with Democratic Party leader Thomas Davis as Prime Minister and CIP leader

Geoffrey Henry Sir Geoffrey Arama Henry (16 November 1940 – 9 May 2012) was a Cook Island politician who was twice the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He was leader of the Cook Islands Party (CIP) from 1979 to 2006. Early life Henry was a native of ...

as Deputy Prime Minister. Henry was later replaced with

Terepai Maoate Sir Terepai Tuamure Maoate (1 September 1934 – 9 July 2012) was Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 18 November 1999 to 11 February 2002. He was a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party. Maoate was born in Rarotonga on 1 September ...

Background

In the March 1983 elections, the CIP had won a 13–11 majority in Parliament, resulting in CIP leader

becoming Prime Minister. Shortly after the elections, the Democratic Party MP for Atiu lost their seat after a successful petition against the result in the constituency, increasing the CIP majority to three. A court case also began as Henry had failed to resign from office within the first seven days of the parliamentary session and seek re-appointment, as required by the constitution. This was initially viewed as a technicality due to the CIP majority in Parliament. However, in July CIP MP Matapo Matapo died and Tupui Henry left the CIP to sit with the Democratic Party, resulting in an 11–11 tie. The final verdict of the Court of Appeal was announced on 29 July, requiring Henry to resign. Without a majority, Henry resigned on 2 August. Queen's Representative

Gaven Donne Sir Gaven John Donne (8 May 1914 – 28 March 2010) was a New Zealand-born former Chief Justice of Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu. Biography Donne was born in Christchurch and educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School, H ...

convened a series of votes to determine who could attain a parliamentary majority, with the vote on 10 August ending as 11 each for Geoffrey and Tupui Henry. With the Atiu by-election – almost certain to be won by the Democratic Party – due on 12 August, Donne asked the two leaders to wait until the by-election for Matapo's seat before a government was appointed. Tupui Henry and Leader of the Opposition Vincent Ingram agreed in the belief that they could win Matapo's former constituency. However, Geoffrey Henry declined. This resulted in Donne dissolving Parliament on 17 August, calling fresh elections for November, and appointing Geoffrey Henry as caretaker Prime Minister with restricted powers.

Campaign

Prior to the elections, Tupui Henry formed a new party, the Cook Islands Party for Alliance, which put forward seven candidates.Mirror image change of government in the Cook Islands
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', December 1983, pp51–52 The Unity Party nominated three candidates, one of whom withdrew before polling day. Following the elections earlier in the year, the CIP did not publish a new manifesto as its policies had not changed.

Results

Deputy Prime Minister George Ellis and minister Fanaura Kingstone were amongst the incumbent MPs losing their seats.

Aftermath

Following the elections, the result in the constituency of Ruaau was declared void due to

treating :''This is an article about treating in the sense of provision of food, drink, and refreshments for a person or group of people. For treating in the context of social dating, see treating (dating).'' Treating is the act of serving food, drink, and ...

by an unsuccessful candidate.

References

{{Cook Islands elections 1983 11 Cook

General A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". O ...

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