Cook Islands PM steps aside pending by-election

Cook Islands prime minister Dr Robert Woonton has stepped down from his post pending a by-election, media reports this morning said.

Dr Woonton had lost his seat in Parliament after a recount ruled there was a tie in his seat in September's general election, Radio New Zealand International news editor Walter Zweifel said today.

Under Cook Islands law, if there is a tie, a by-election has to be held.

The Cook Islands parliament had not been able to meet for three months with the result for the seat in doubt.

"It's political theatre but it's otherwise a stable place," Mr Zweifel said.

The recount ruled Dr Woonton and his rival candidate, Henry Puna, each polled 134 votes.

- NZPA