United Bermuda Party candidate Jamahl Simmons won the Pembroke West by-election tonight, holding the seat for the Opposition party.

Mr. Simmons had 578 votes, while Progressive Labour Party candidate Carvel VanPutten trailed with 367.

The by-election was held to replace United Bermuda Party MP Gary Pitman who stepped down at the end of last year.

The traditional UBP safe seat could be the last by-election held under the current dual-seat electoral system and was seen as a barometer on the strength of the two major parties.

In November, 1998, Mr. Pitman and UBP MP Erwin Adderley carried the traditional UBP stronghold with approximately 60 percent of the vote.

Mr. Simmons carried the seat with 61.1 percent of the vote while Mr. VanPutten received 38.9 percent of the vote.

Voter turnout in the by-election seemed to be down on the General Election and on the last by-election held in Pembroke West when Mr. Pitman defeated Mr. VanPutten by 604 votes to 400 in February, 1998.