Final election results in the Cook Islands are due to be declared on June 28, the chief electoral officer says.
Photo: RNZ Pacific
Preliminary results from the June 14 poll showed the Democrats won the largest number of seats, with 11 to the 10 of the Cook Islands Party.
Two independents were elected and one seat was taken by a One Cook Islands candidate.
Chief electoral officer Taggy Tangimetua said up until June 28, discussions to form a majority in the 24 member house were likely to continue.
Electoral officers were now counting all the special and postal votes, as well as checking votes cast by people outside of their constituencies, Ms Tangimutua said.
Her staff would also be busy counting votes from the Southern and Northern Groups, due to arrive in Rarotonga by boat later this week, she said.
"There are certain seats that you could say are assured seats and even with the inclusion of the outstanding votes, it won't make a difference.
"I have had phone calls coming in wanting to know when the scrutiny of the roll will be given and I think they are happy with the dates I have given."
Ms Tangimetua said appeals could be lodged within seven days of the final results being declared.
While the election "went smoothly" it was not without the same challenges each time the country went to the polls, Ms Tangimetua said.
The biggest problem was the internal movement of voters and the inability to monitor how many had moved between constituencies.
With 13 inhabited islands scattered over hundreds of kilometres, Ms Tangimetua said the challenge had always been keeping track of voters who moved from island to island during election time.
