Having won convincingly in recent by-elections and with PLP candidate Rodney Smith having to pull out of the race following a housing scandal, both Mr.

Adderley and Mr. Pitman were, not surprisingly, in bullish moods as the polls closed. But they were in for an early scare.

Another surprise looked on the cards with Mr. Vanputten keeping in touch with the two UBP candidates well into the count. He only began to fall behind following a traditional late surge in UBP support.

After just over 1,000 votes had been counted, former Transport Minister Mr.

Adderley had his nose in front with 308 votes, with Mr. Pitman on 296 and Vanputten snapping at their heels on 284. Independent candidate Phil Perinchief, who never managed to sway PLP supporters onto his side, brought up the rear with 172 votes.

But from then on the two UBP incumbents began to relax as their lead grew and victory was sewn up well before the four-hour-long count finally came to a close.

Leaving the polling station both MPs denied that they had been concerned by the early PLP threat.

But they had little else to say when told that, despite their efforts, the election had already been lost and the PLP would be forming the new Government.

"We would just like to say a thank you to everyone who voted for us and we're pleased with the outcome here,'' was all they would say before dashing off to UBP headquarters.

Mr. Vanputten, having improved on his last election performance when he secured 16.7 percent of the vote, was pleased for himself -- but even more pleased for his party. "I think we did pretty good,'' he said.

"We knew that coming here was like entering the lion's den but I don't think Pembroke West is a UBP stronghold anymore.

"I think we would have done even better had Rodney Smith been standing. But what he did was very unselfish. He decided to go so as not to destroy the party and he has given me a great deal of support. Now I'm off to join the party.'' Independent Phil Perinchief, whose platform included the introduction of income tax and a review of the electoral system, came in fourth with 324 votes.

"I think it was quite a radical platform and the fact that more than 300 people supported me shows that these issues have to be dealt with,'' he said.

RESULTS Erwin Adderley (UBP) 821 Gary Pitman (UBP) 800 Carvel Vanputten (PLP) 521 Phil Perinchief (Ind) 324