The Cook Islands Party (CIP) is closing in on a two-thirds majority in Parliament after three independent female candidates who won seats in Mangaia agreed to join the party.
The three independent MPs are Agnes Armstrong, Rimmel Poila-Mokoroa and Tetangi Matapo.
Their decision to join the CIP strengthens the party’s numbers as it seeks a fifth consecutive term in government and moves it closer to securing a supermajority in Parliament.
First-time independent candidate Dr Kirianu “Dash” Nio also secured the Pukapuka-Nassau seat by just three votes.
Nio polled 134 votes, defeating caretaker Minister and Cook Islands Party candidate Tingika Elikana, who received 131 votes.
The addition of the three Mangaia MPs could give the CIP the numbers needed to reach the two-thirds threshold in Parliament, strengthening its ability to advance legislation and constitutional changes requiring a supermajority.
