Info
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: 18 years of age on the date of the election
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act 2004, art. 7(c)
Verified: 2014/06/05
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship b . Period of Residence d . Naturalization
Comments: A person shall be qualified to be an elector for the election of a Member of Parliament for any constituency other than the Overseas Constituency, if, and only if:
(a) He is a Commonwealth citizen, or he has the status of a permanent resident of the Cook Islands as defined by Act; and
(b) He has been resident in the Cook Islands throughout the period of three months immediately preceding his application for enrolment as an elector and has not subsequently qualified as an elector under subclause (2) of this Article; and (c) He has at some period actually resided continuously in the Cook Islands for not less than 12 months.
Qualifications for registration of electors - (1) A person shall be qualified to be registered as an elector of a constituency if that person -
(a) is a Cook Islander or a New Zealander citizen, or has the status of a permanent resident of the Cook Islands;
(b) has at some period actually resided continuously in the Cook Islands for not less than 12 months;
(c) is 18 years of age or over;
(d) has been actually resident in the Cook Islands throughout the period of 3 months immediately residing that person's application for enrolment as an elector;
(e) has not been convicted of any corrupt practice or any offence punishable by death, or imprisonment for a term of 1 year or more unless in each case that person has received a free pardon or has undergone the sentence or punishment to which that person was adjudged;
(f) is not of unsound mind.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of the Cook Islands, Art. 28
Electoral Act (2004), Art. 7
Verified: 2014/06/05
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
e . Other
Comments: There shall be commissioned by the Minister, an Electoral Registration Office within the Ministry of Justice for the purpose of administering this Part of this Act. The Secretary of Justice shall provide the office with appropriate office space, adequate furniture, fixtures and relevant logistical support.
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral Act 2004, Art. 10
Verified: 2014/06/05
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Every person qualified to be registered as an elector for any constituency shall make application to any Registrar for registration as an elector:
(a) within one month after the date on which he or she first becomes qualified to be registered as an elector; or
(b) within one month after the date on which, following a change in his or her place of actual residence from one constituency to another, he or she first becomes qualified to be registered as an elector of that other constituency.
Any person who knowingly and willfully fails to register shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100 on a first conviction, and to a fine not exceeding $200 on any subsequent conviction:
Source: Electoral Law: Electoral At 2004, Art. 13(1) & 13(4)
Verified: 2014/06/05
The data on this page is continuously updated.
Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
