The One Bermuda Alliance retained Paget East last night.

David Burt, the Premier, and Jeanne Atherden, the Leader of the Opposition, joined the throng of supporters for both Scott Pearman of the One Bermuda Alliance and Progressive Labour Party contender Curtis Richardson.

The candidates appeared friendly and when Mr Pearman’s victory was announced at 461 votes to Mr Richardson’s 300, the winner congratulated his opponent.

Mr Pearman said Mr Richardson “had a good opportunity last time in the General Election to build up votes — and he worked hard”.

After a long slog of canvassing, the lawyer and Family Centre director added that he needed sleep before anything else.

Mr Pearman also thanked Grant Gibbons, the former MP for Constituency 22 who stepped down in April after almost 25 years in the seat.

Mr Richardson, an architectural designer who has now run three times in Constituency 22, saved his remarks for the PLP party already in full swing at Warwick Workmen’s Club.

Dr Gibbons and his wife Kathy helped welcome the last voters coming to the polls.

Dr Gibbons said that “life is good” since he stepped down from politics.

He added: “There are some things about the House that I miss, and some that I don’t.

“It’s great that younger people are stepping up and prepared to run. It’s very important. We’ve got to have good representation regardless of the party in power.”

Dr Gibbons said: “We see politics goes through circles. The Opposition is in their regeneration phase right now. We’re hopeful that things move in a good direction.”

The count was delayed for a short time after an alarm went off inside the Bermuda College student centre.