Membership and Elections
- See: Elections in the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands Parliament takes the British House of Commons as its model. It consists of 24 members, known as "Members of Parliament" (MPs). Members are elected by universal suffrage using the first-past-the-post system from single-seat constituencies. Ten MPs are elected from constituencies on the main island of Rarotonga, three each from the islands of Aitutaki and Mangaia, two from Atiu, and one each from the islands of Manihiki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Penrhyn, Pukapuka and Rakahanga.
The executive branch of the Cook Islands government (the Cabinet) draws its membership exclusively from Parliament, based on which party or parties can claim a majority. The Prime Minister leads the government; the Queen's Representative appoints the Prime Minister from the party or coalition which has or appears to have enough support to govern. The Prime Minister and Cabinet hold office until the next election, or until they are defeated on a motion of confidence. The Democratic Party is currently in government. The Prime Minister is currently Jim Marurai. The current leader of the opposition is Tom Marsters, who leads the Cook Islands Party.
The Cook Islands has a two-party system, though independent members are not uncommon.
Read more about this topic: Parliament Of The Cook Islands
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