Mauke excavator not factor in election
By Charles Pitt,
Political Editor

Claims about an excavator being used to influence voters have been withdrawn from an election petition over the Mauke seat in the general elections.
The High Court is due to travel to Mauke where Chief Justice David Williams will hear a petition lodged by the Cook Islands Party (CIP) against the outcome of the 26th September general election.
Democratic Party candidate Mapu Taia won the seat from Cook Islands Party’s George Cowan by a slim margin.
In the High Court on Friday morning, Justice Tom Weston, acting as Commissioner, heard evidence.
This came from seven Rarotongan-based witnesses called by Cook Islands Party counsel Norman George and, in a cross petition, four witnesses called by Democratic Party counsel Charles Little.
First up, George called several witnesses in respect of item four on the petition relating to the provision of an excavator just four days prior to the election. The Cook Islands Party was alleging a corrupt practice or alternatively a gift to induce voters to return the Demo candidate.
However, after hearing the testimony of three witnesses, George following the recess, applied to the court to strike out item four on the petition relating to the excavator.
BUDGET
In relation to the excavator, Aid Management Director Garth Henderson told the court provision had been made in the 2004/2005 budget for an excavator.
Transactions had been underway since October 2005. When George asked why the excavator only appeared a matter of days before the election, Henderson, his senior project officer Steve Barrett and also Otheniel Tangianau Head of the Office of the Minister of Island Administration (OMIA) all referred to delays.
This was especially in obtaining a barge to transport the excavator.
COSTS
George also withdrew items 5 and 6 on the petition leaving just three items. George told the court part of the reason for withdrawals was to minimise costs.
George called two further witnesses, George Strickland, Cook Islands PartyYouth Director, who denied buying drinks for voters in Mauke and Mauke Hostel Caretaker Puna Teariki. She said she had been told that Mauke MP Taia was to pay for the Mauke Tere party’s costs.
Charles Little called four witnesses to disprove that Mauke MP Taia paid for any costs as alleged by the CIP.
The hearing continues in Mauke next Thursday.

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