It was like a scene from a film when Michael Douglas turned out to vote in Warwick North Central. He simply walked past the two policemen who didn't even say good day to him. No other voters were coming in at that time.

The two people at the PLP tent were engrossed in conversation with each other. The UBP tent was unmanned. Bryan Darby and cameraman Dennis Sherlock were interviewing candidates Elvin James and Wayne Scott together. Not one of them noticed Mr. Douglas walk by.

He was greeted by the returning offer who did recognise him. He placed his vote and then walked away again. He didn't get on a bike or a waiting car. One of the officers had been told who he was and got his signature. Reporter Sarah Webber asked how he'd voted and he laughed. Then he walked along Cedar Hill and down Longford Hill to his home.

It was a family affair for Wayne Perinchief in his attempt to retain Pembroke Central. His sister Wanda Bremar, was his campaign manager, while three other sisters helped out.

She said: "Behind every great man there is a woman telling him what to do." And what of other sibling Phil Perinchief fighting St. George's South, she added: "Oh there is one or two sisters there helping him out. Our mom would have been proud."

The PLP and UBP tents sat side-by-side outside St. Mary's Church in Warwick South Central, but the election campaign could not have been more divisive.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, accompanied by his wife Wanda and bodyguards, looked relaxed and confident, posing for photographs with voters passing by. Opponent Roderick Simons meanwhile was more subdued but in good humour.

As the bells of St. Mary's Church struck eight o'clock and the church hall closed its doors to voters, Dr. Brown left for his home, waving goodbye to a dozen or so supporters.

His branch chairman Andre Curtis admitted the campaign had been smeared by mud-slinging. Mr. Curtis said: "We're no longer scared to stand up for ourselves. Now we are prepared to throw it back – but I would have preferred a much cleaner campaign and that people were judged on their merits and platform only. That was not the case and it's sad for that."

In Warwick South East, voters trickled in over the 12-hour voting shift. Former Premier, Alex Scott, stood with his wife Olga greeting every voter that came in.

UBP newcomer, Jeff Sousa managed to stand the entire 12 hours greeting voters despite recently recovering from a torn achilles tendon. His wife Luann stood by with support.

When 8 p.m. rolled around, the two men shook hands and their wives hugged.

It is well known that former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith and Premier Ewart Brown haven't always seen eye to eye.

After Dame Jennifer led the Progressive Labour Party to a second successive General Election victory in 2003, she found herself ousted from the leadership within days by a rebel group of MPs led by Dr. Brown.

After retaining her St. George's North seat last night, Dame Jennifer was asked whether she backed the leader. The conversation went like this.

Reporter: Are you fully behind Ewart Brown?

Dame Jennifer: I'm fully behind the leader of the party, as I would expect all our members to be.

Reporter: So are you fully behind Ewart Brown as leader of the Party?

Dame Jennifer: I'm fully behind the leader of the Party and Dr. Brown is leader.

A ringing endorsement?

Hardly.

Before Mark Pettingill was declared the winner in Warwick West last night, one could have assumed he could predict the future – based on his ultra-relaxed demeanour outside the polling station.

While the PLP's George Scott, his opponent, appeared conscious of the chilly temperatures outside at times, Mr. Pettingill looked somewhat relieved his second attempt for the House was ending.

Perhaps a sign of the times, Mr. Scott almost laughed when explaining to The Royal Gazette that there were radio reports a domestic disturbance had occurred at his home that day, which he said were false.

"I don't know what they're talking about," he reacted. "I've been here at the polling station all day and no one is home... they called my son and asked him if they knew anything about a domestic dispute... ain't that something."

As a dog howled and the odd car drove by – five lone figures danced below the motion sensor lights of the Bright Temple AME Hall, Warwick.

The two police officers, two rival reporters and Reverend Lorne Bean were the motley crew awaiting the results of Constituency 25.

Rev. Bean stayed to watch over his church, and make sure the reporters were entertained by tales of his time in Newcastle, England.

Discussions between the only five waiting were halted as a returning officer exited the building to give updates each quarter.

First to leave the hall with a timid smile, but a strong voice, Gina Spence-Farmer announced her defeat – but her continued devotion to her party.

And after hours of waiting and anticipation, Dale Butler bounded out of the door with a smile from ear-to-ear and a speech of thanks.

The victory was met by congratulations from the five who waited for hours, but as the car park cleared and the motley crew moved on to their next projects, the sensor lights went out - at least for last night.