The leader of the Free Democratic Movement said today’s by-election in Sandys North marked one of the most important in decades.

Marc Bean, who is running in Sandys North against former Progressive Labour Party senator Reverend Emily Gail Dill, Carl Neblett of the One Bermuda Alliance and independent candidate Cire Bean, urged voters to to make their voices heard at Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church.

He explained: “The process is seamless and I think your vote can go a long way in shaping the future of Bermuda — especially over the short term, but quite possibly over the long term.”

The FDM leader, who ran in previous by-elections, does not expect more than 500 votes to be cast today.

He said: “This morning was a little lighter than I’ve seen in the past, even for by-elections. Lunchtime has also been a little slower, so unless you have a big push this afternoon and this evening, then you can expect a turnout of just under 500.”

Dr Dill, who was the Junior Minister of National Security and Transport in the Upper House, said turnout at the church has been steady, and she expects more turnout after 5pm.

She added: “I was the last person to enter the race, so I’ve had the least amount of time to reach out. But it has been very encouraging and I’m excited about what the future holds.”

Mr Neblett, who has been canvassing the constituency for more than a year, said he will address all issues in the area if elected.

He said: “I intend to ensure that everything reported to me, whether small, medium or large, I will be dealing with — because everything is important to someone; if it was not important, you would not be telling me about it.”

Cire Bean enjoyed constituents’ “engagement, hospitality and the very personal interactions” while canvassing, and said that he plans on continuing to learn.

Voter Shawn Spencer, 52, believes that Bermuda should move away from party politics.

He explained: “I think it’s time for Bermuda to start voting for a clear candidate instead of a candidate representing a party.

“It should be individual people from individual constituencies coming together to form one common goal, as opposed to one party with their ideas, and another party fighting those ideas because they want to be the ones to do it next time.”

Another voter, 62-year-old Debbie Ball, hopes the winning candidate will listen to Sandys North constituents — something she said the previous area MP and former Attorney-General Kathy Lynn Simmons, whose retirement from politics sparked today’s by-election, did not do.

She explained: “That was our biggest complaint, we asked [Ms Simmons] for meetings and she never showed up, so hopefully whoever wins will address some of our concerns.”

Other voters hope the new MP can address national issues such as crime and the high cost of living.

Polls opened at 8am and will close at 8pm.

• Comments are closed on political content until after the October 4 by-election to stem the flow of purposefully inflammatory and litigious comments during the election cycle. Users who introduce extreme partisan comments into other news content will be banned