A former Mayor of St George has been voted back into the post in what could be the last elections to take place for the island’s two corporations.

Quinell Francis won the East End contest with a majority of just eight over George Dowling III.

She said: "It was a very close race. I want to thank all who did support, all who came out.

"I'm just happy that I did it this way, and I know that St George's is going to be a better place just with this result."

Ms Francis explained that her approach had been to develop a team to run together in the electoral contest.

She said earlier that her focus for the town included promoting it as a brand and creating a sustainable world heritage site plan.

Mr Dowling, who received 199 votes to the 207 taken by Ms Francis, his predecessor as mayor, said before the count that he was "cautiously optimistic".

After the result, he wished the winner well.

Mr Dowling added: "We did a lot of good work, so she has a very great foundation to build upon, so hopefully she continues to do what she stated in her mandate and using the foundation that we've already put in place."

He thanked the Parliamentary Registry staff for their work as well as supporters of both mayoral candidates.

In Hamilton, Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton, was re-elected unopposed.

Spots for Hamilton business ratepayers’ councillors were uncontested, with successful nominees being John Harvey, Lawrence Scott, John Nicholas Swan and Dennis Tucker.

On the four-person team of residents’ councillors, 43-year-old political newcomer Shawn Brown won a seat, while Henry Ming, an eight-year veteran of the Hamilton administration, lost his place.

Mr Ming told the mayor: “It is what it is — it’s been a pleasure.”

He added: “I have no regrets. It’s been interesting for me from Day 1.”

Mr Brown, a resident of North East Hamilton and a chartered valuations surveyor, told The Royal Gazette: “I am humbled.

“First I would like to thank the people that did come out. For me, based on the interactions I’ve had with residents, my work is just getting started.”

Mr Brown was the sole challenger to the four sitting councillors.

He said: “I would encourage more people, especially younger people, to get involved in the entities responsible for decision-making so their input and perceptions can be reflected.”

Out of 572 eligible voters, 45 appeared at the polling station and overall Mr Brown and Jenefer Brimmer both took 34 votes, while RoseAnn Edwards received 42 votes. Mr Ming was out at 24 votes, and Councillor George A. Scott received 32 votes.

In St George, Alfonso Harris and Amne Osseyran were elected as business ratepayers' councillors with 22 and 20 votes, respectively. Mackeesha Curtis lost her bid for a seat, taking 12 votes.

The Olde Towne’s municipal residents’ councillors were uncontested in their bids, resulting in seats for Tianny Butterfield, Elizabeth Christopher, N. Garon Dowling, Jari Ming, Lynwood Trott and Allen Van Putten.

Voters went to the polls in what could be the last corporation elections as legislation put forward by the Government would mean that the mayor and four councillors would be appointed to each of the bodies by the relevant minister “acting in his discretion”.

The other four members would be appointed by the minister on the recommendation of a selection committee.

MPs passed the Municipalities Reform Act in March 2019 but it was blocked by the Senate later that month.

The Corporation of Hamilton launched legal action against the legislation but was unsuccessful in both the Supreme Court and in a challenge to the Court of Appeal.

A further attempt to prevent the reform was made by the City to the Privy Council in London.

Mr Gosling said earlier this year that while no date was then set, he expected the case to proceed sometime in late fall or early winter.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said he did not expect a ruling by the highest court of appeal before 2025.

The corporation argued earlier that the reform was unconstitutional because it would give the Government “overwhelming” control of the municipalities and their properties, which would amount to an illegitimate deprivation of property.

Colonel Burch has defended the proposed move by insisting that the island cannot go on effectively having “two governments”.

In March, legislators passed the Municipalities Amendment Act 2023 to reduce the time between an ordinary municipal election for the corporations from three years to two years.

Elections that would have taken place in May 2022 were postponed, with office-holder terms extended for 12 months while the legal wrangles played out.