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Dill retains Sandys North seat

The Reverend Emily Gail Dill speaks with a voter outside Somerset Primary (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

The Progressive Labour Party’s Reverend Emily Gail Dill won a four-way contest in Sandys North.

Dr Dill garnered 275 votes, or 42.5 per cent of all votes cast in Constituency 36 last night.

This was 113 more than she secured in a by-election in the same constituency in October, but fewer than the 431 votes former PLP MP and Attorney-General Kathy Simmons, whose retirement from politics sparked the by-election, earned in 2020.

Dr Dill, a minister at Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, was the party’s representative in Paget East in the 2017 General Election, earning 317 votes to Patricia Gordon-Pamplin’s 639.

She was appointed to the Senate in 2022, and was announced as a candidate for the by-election in August.

Dr Dill thanked voters and promised to address flooding on Cambridge Road and transportation for cruise ship visitors.

She said: “There are a plethora of items that need to be addressed and I look forward to it. We’re in February and we know what we have to work on, and I look forward to continuing work as an MP.”

Independent candidate Ci’re Bean, who also ran in the by-election, came second last night with 206 votes.

Independent candidate Ci’re Bean greets a voter of Constituency 36, Sandys North (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Mr Bean, who earned 95 votes in October, was “extremely thankful” for voters’ support and “ready to continue the work” in the area.

Carl Neblett, of the One Bermuda Alliance, came third with 102 votes, 11 more than he garnered four months ago.

Mr Neblett, who has canvassed the constituency for more than a year, said: “The constituents of seat 36 have spoken and they have selected their candidate.

Carl Neblett, of the One Bermuda Alliance, greets a voter outside of Somerset Primary School (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

“I made a commitment by coming out here and presenting myself to my constituents. I aim to fulfil that promise and commitment that I have made.”

Shalleya Codrington, of the Free Democratic Movement, was the only candidate who did not run in October’s by-election.

The small-business owner announced her candidacy last month and received 64 votes.

Shalleya Codrington, of the Free Democratic Movement, greets a voter outside Somerset Primary (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

She told constituents: “This is not the last you will see of me, I will be back out there to continue to get to know you and be an advocate on your behalf.”

A total of 647 people, almost 53 per cent of eligible voters in Sandys North, cast their votes. No ballots were rejected, but one was spoilt.

The overall turnout was down from 2020, when 730 people, 58.4 per cent of eligible voters, made their voices heard in the constituency, with six rejected ballots on that occasion.