RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (May 26, 1999 - PACNEWS/Cook Islands TV)---Cook Islanders will have a chance to vote in a referendum on whether they want a four-year or five-year term of Parliament when the country goes to the polls to elect a new Government on June 16.

The referendum will run parallel with the national elections.

A similar referendum on the term of Parliament was held in the last general election in 1994. At that time, however, voters were given a choice among three-year, four-year or five-year terms. More voted in favor of a five-year term than either of the other choices, but the total votes for three- and four-year terms, added together, showed that Cook Islanders wanted a parliamentary term of less than five years.

This time, the Political Reform Commission recommended two options: a four-year or five-year term. The Commission said three years was too short a time for a Parliament to be effective.