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Both parties confident as voting begins

Date Posted: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Author: Christen Pears

Thousands of voters converged on polling stations across this island this morning as voting got underway in the general election.

Reports suggest voter turnout has been high so far, with an early rush followed by a steady stream of voters throughout the day.

Many arrived in cars decorated with party flags while others showed their allegiance by wearing party T-shirts.

Both parties say they’re confident of victory in what polls suggest could be one of the closest elections in recent years.

Premier Dr Brown was on hand to greet early voters in his Warwick South Central constituency before embarking on a whistle stop tour of a the island to lend his support to other PLP candidates.

His wife, Wanda, remained at St Mary's Church to welcome voters.

At Christ Church in Devonshire, Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley showed no sign of nerves as he welcomed voters.

“I’m feeling confident and excited. We have done our work and now it’s up to the people to decide,” he said.

Mr Dunkley has taken a huge political gamble by standing in Smith’s North, which was comfortably won at the last election by Patrice Minors.

Posing with Mr Dunkley for photographs, she said she was confident of holding onto her seat.

“I’ve been working hard and I think that will pay off. I’m pleased this day has come and I’m looking forward to the result,” she said.

Political commentators believe Smith's North will be one of the key battlegrounds of the election.

Thirteen-year-old Alyyah Philpott, showed her support for Mr Dunkley by wearing a UBP T-shirt.

“Michael Dunkley is the guy,” she said.

The teenager, who is working on a school project about politics, said: “Politics are important for young people. It’s good for Bermuda to have young people being involved in what’s going on for the future.”

In Southampton Central, Zane DeSilva is challening incumbent UBP MP David Dodwell in what is expected to be another close-run battle.

Mr Dodwell, who won the seat by just 20 votes in 2003, said he hoped voters would continue to support him while Mr DeSilva was more upbeat about his chances of victory.

One constituent said: "I've voted for PLP for 30 years and I'm not going to change now. There's been a lot of criticism of Ewart Brown and I didn't think I was going to vote a few weeks back but there's been no evidence to back it up. He's a strong leader and we should support him. The PLP deserves another term."

In St George's North former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith faces a re-run of her 2003 battle against the UBP's Kenny Bascome, which she won by just eight votes. She predicted another close result this year.

Crime, housing and education were among the key issues for voters across the island.

"It shouldn't be about parties or personalities," one voter told BNN.

"You have to look at what the issues are and who you think will do the best job of dealing with them."

Log onto BNN later this evening for live election results.

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