2005 Manihiki by-election

2005 Manihiki by-election

8 February 2005

Constituency of Manihiki
  First party Second party
 
DP
Candidate Henry Puna Apii Piho
Party Cook Islands Democratic
Popular vote 120 100
Percentage 54.55% 45.45%

MP before election

Robert Woonton
Democratic

Elected MP

Henry Puna
Cook Islands

The 2005 Manihiki by-election was a by-election in the Cook Islands electorate of Manihiki. It was held on 8 February 2005, shortly after the 2004 general election, and was precipitated by an electoral petition finding the result in the seat to be a dead tie. Both parties to the petition, Prime Minister Robert Woonton and Cook Islands Party leader Henry Puna had agreed that in the event of a draw the question should be decided by the voters, and so Woonton resigned. As a result, Jim Marurai became prime minister.

Woonton subsequently decided not to contest the election for personal reasons. The election was won by Henry Puna.