Veteran MP Cole Simons was last night returned to the House of Assembly — this time under the banner of the One Bermuda Alliance in Constituency 8, Smiths South.The Smith’s South candidate received 706 votes ahead of the Progressive Labour Party’s Wayne Perinchief, who secured 203 votes. Independent David Tavares scored 48 votes.Mr Perinchief, the outgoing National Security Minister stepped in to run in the district after Linda Merrit relinquished her candidacy in October.First elected in Smith’s North in 1998, Mr Simons has served as Opposition Whip, Shadow Minister for Youth and Sports, Community and Cultural Affairs, Environment and Energy and Tourism and Business Development. He is currently the Shadow Government Estates Minister.Constituents in Pembroke West first elected Mr Perinchief to the House of Assembly in 1998.The former Assistant Police Commissioner, was subsequently re-elected in 2003 and 2007 in Pembroke Central.Mr Tavares, a former branch chairman for the United Bermuda Party, said he campaigned based on the results of a survey to determine how people felt about party politics.“All I spoke to agreed that partisan politics was not good,” he said. “(Based on that) I had to offer myself as a candidate.”In total, 957 voters cast their ballots, representing a turnout of 77.1 percent.RESULTS:Cole Simons (OBA): 706Wayne Perinchief (PLP): 203David Tavares (IND): 48