UBP stalwart David Dodwell edged the vote in Southampton East Central to return for his third term to the House of Assembly.

Mr. Dodwell, owner of South Shore hotel The Reefs and Shadow Tourism Minister throughout the last parliament, took the seat by a mere 20 votes against first-time PLP candidate Raymond Tannock.

Mr. Dodwell polled 466 votes while Mr. Tannock, the owner of Esso City Automarket, was narrowly defeated with a final count of 446. In total, 1,176 voters were registered in Southampton East Central and voter turnout was 77.82 percent.

The close race was in a constituency that includes about three quarters of old Southampton East which has historically been a PLP stronghold with veterans Reginald Burrows and Speaker Stanley Lowe holding that seat for the past 30 years.

Moments after the result was confirmed, a visibly relieved Mr. Dodwell told The Royal Gazette: "I am relieved, happy, and grateful to all those who voted today. And I will represent all, please underline all, of the people of Southampton East Central to the best of my ability. I commit myself to them."

Mr. Dodwell added that it had been the closest of his three runs.

After a hearty handshake between the two candidates, a disappointed Mr. Tannock vowed that this wouldn't be the last seen of him.

"You lose, you lose - no one likes to be a loser. But there will be a next time. I live in this district and over the next four years I will be working towards taking Southampton East Central."

Results:

David Dodwell (UBP) 466

Raymond Tannock (PLP) 446