By-election candidates show confidence on polling day
All three by-election candidates were in buoyant mood this morning as a steady stream of people turned up at the polling station to vote.
Today’s election in constituency 10, Smith’s North, was called after the resignation of Michael Dunkley, of the One Bermuda Alliance, earlier this year.
Robert King is standing as the OBA candidate, Lindsay Simmons for the Progressive Labour Party, with former premier Sir John Swan standing as an independent.
Both parties were out in force, with PLP ministers and MPs as well as OBA MPs and party members mingling with people as they turned up to vote.
Sir John was there with members of his family as well as former United Bermuda Party tourism minister, David Dodwell.
Asked if he was confidant of a win, Mr King said: “The campaigning has gone very well and I am getting a lot of support. I put the work in, but time will tell.”
Ms Simmons, who wore a PLP-green dress, said that “everything is wonderful” and added that she felt her election campaign went very well.
“It is beautiful to see people come out and vote. I am confident, I put a lot of work in and feel that I will be successful.”
Former UBP premier Sir John said he received a warm reception from people as they attended the polling station at the church hall at Christ Anglican Church, in Devonshire.
He said he hopedthat standing as an independent candidate would encourage others to do the same in an attempt to move on from party politics.
“It is not about parties, it is about the people, we need a change,” Sir John said.
Mr Dunkley, a former OBA premier, said he believed voting in Constituency 10 was an indicator of the way people in Bermuda voted.
He added: “Robert has worked very hard and canvassed very well but it is always difficult to predict.
“Voters in Bermuda keep their cards very close to their chests but Robert has built up good relationships in the constituency.”
December 2012 General Election: Michael Dunkley, OBA, won with 618 votes, beating the PLP’s Patrice Minors, who got 298 votes.
Total votes: 916, number of registered voters: 1,206
July 2017 General Election: Michael Dunkley won with 497 votes, beating the PLP’s Ernest Peets, who got 454 votes.
Total votes: 951, number of registered voters: 1,261
October 2020 General Election: Michael Dunkley won with 503 votes against Ernest Peets, who got 324 votes.
Total votes: 827, number of registered voters: 1,268
Voting takes place until 8pm. It is expected that the result will be called at around 9pm.
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