Voters went to the polls today to decide who will fill the vacant Pembroke Central seat in the House of Assembly.

Jason Hayward, a Progressive Labour Party senator, and Dwayne Robinson, a senator for the One Bermuda Alliance, both said this afternoon they were optimistic.

Mr Hayward added: “The turnout has been low thus far. Persons have been trickling in, but the support has been positive, I believe.

“I will remain optimistic until the end of the count.”

Mr Robinson estimated that around 400 people had attended the polling station for Constituency 17 at the St Paul AME Church Hall on Court Street, Hamilton, by 3pm.

He added: “I’m feeling pretty confident because I know I have put the work in, which is necessary.

“Regardless of the outcome, I have done all that I could.”

Mr Hayward and Mr Robinson said that constituency concerns such as trash collection and rat problems had been on voters’ minds, as well as matters of wider concern.

Mr Robinson added: “There are national issues like the cost of living and job opportunities ... There are also issues like roads being paved, the third stack at Belco and environmental issues.”

Mr Hayward said: “The issues I have been hearing about on the doorstep have been trash collection, education and the cost of living.

“There are also more central issues like the rodent problems, trash collection and road works.

“Typically, people haven’t had major issues, and they just want accountability from the political parties.”

The seat became vacant after the sudden death of sitting PLP MP Walton Brown last month.

The polls will close at 8pm tonight.