Veteran United Bermuda Party candidate John Barritt was returned to the House of Assembly for the fourth time after the count was completed in Constituency 12, Devonshire South Central.

Mr. Barritt was returned with a comfortable majority of 601, having gained 722 votes. Progressive Labour Party candidate Linda Merritt received 122 votes, 39 more than Aurelia Burch garnered in the 2003 election.

A confident Mr. Barritt noted by late morning that there had be a strong turnout early on, voters taking advantage of the 8 a.m. opening time, a good turn out from his point of view.

Late in the day he moved on to Devonshire North Central polling station, Prospect Primary School, to support UBP colleague Albertha Waite, whose constituency encompassed some of the area than had once been part of Devonshire South before the single seat constituencies were established.

"I've done most of my work in this campaign with Albertha Waite," he acknowledged. "With the support of my Devonshire South constituents."

At the polling station for the final count, he expressed his gratitude for the "continued support, patience and understanding of his constituents".

"My positive attitude has always been one of resilience," declared Ms Merritt, who focused her efforts during the run up to the election on specific areas, her goal being to raise the popular vote, in terms of both overall numbers of voters and PLP voters in particular.

Convinced "people in the community can make a change", Ms Merritt was determined to provide her party's supporters in the constituency with a credible choice.

There were three spoiled ballots. Voter turnout was 79.18 percent with 847 voters taking part.

RESULT

John Barritt (UBP) 722

Linda Merritt (PLP) 122