Both parties are confident of victory tonight in what could turn out to be a nailbiting climax to Bermuda's marathon seven-week election campaign.

Currently the Progressive Labour Party hold 23 seats to the United Bermuda Party's 13 but the most recent independent poll completed on December 5 put the UBP on 50 percent with the PLP on 48 percent.

And whatever happens Bermuda's political landscape will likely look radically different tomorrow.

Another emphatic Progressive Labour Party win could sweep away United Bermuda Party leader Michael Dunkley who has gambled by standing in PLP-held Smith's North in a do-or-die bid to take his party back to power.

Even if the UBP win it is conceivable they could still lose Mr. Dunkley on the night meaning they will take power and immediately need a new leader.

And Premier Ewart Brown will come under intense pressure if his party has its majority slashed, possibly sparking a repeat of the post-election coup in 2003 which saw winning leader Jennifer Smith dumped hours after polls closed.

Amid rumblings there was a move to oust him Dr. Brown sent colleagues an e-mail the day before the election was called urging them to save any challenge until after the vote.

Several PLP sources said a narrow 19-17 win would hasten a new leadership battle with Deputy Premier Paula Cox tipped to take over.

In 2003 the PLP took 51.7 percent of the vote and won 22 seats while the UBP took 48 percent of the vote and won 14 seats.

But the UBP could have won back power if 80 people had switched in five key seats.

And an 18-18 draw is a distinct possibility tonight.

New Governor Sir Richard Gozney would most likely give Premier Ewart Brown first try at trying to form a Government – if he could entice an MP to cross the floor. Or the Governor might give the Opposition the chance to do the same if they had picked up the largest share of the popular vote.

But most likely another election would have to be called if none of the 36 MPs could be tempted to change sides.

It's thought at least one Minister moved out of their Government office at the weekend to avoid the potential embarrassment of having to do so in broad daylight tomorrow if it all goes wrong for the PLP who have been in power since 1998.

And today Bermuda's 42,000 voters will give their verdict on its record and leader.

PLP chairman David Burt said: "We are confident that we will prevail because on doorsteps across Bermuda the people are responding to our commitment to providing free day care for all of Bermuda's children and FutureCare – health care for Bermuda's seniors.

"Our models predict that if PLP supporters go to the polls, we will pick up seats. It's all up to the PLP family. Everyone knows that if our family goes to the polls, a government that will fight for all people will achieve victory.

"I'm confident in a victory because the people of Bermuda know that the PLP has presided over a strong economy, ushered in a tourism turnaround, and broadened opportunity for all. Our record is strong and our future is bright."

United Bermuda Party chairman Shawn Crockwell said his party was looking at picking up between 19 to 21 seats after a great reception across the board.

He said: "People are ready for a change. People are looking at the record of Government in the past nine years and appreciate democracy requires a Government that delivers. This Government has not delivered. The natural response is to give the Opposition the chance to deliver.

"People should not be thinking they are barred for ethnic or other reasons from making a change. No one party should feel they have a monopoly or sense of entitlement."

And he said if his party did not deliver in the next four to five years the voters could always turf them out.

The Opposition believes it is strong in St. George's where the PLP holds three seats with tiny majorities although the UBP fear they could lose St. David's because of a large influx of new voters.

Opposition insiders believe they should pick something up in Warwick while they are 50/50 in four seats including Devonshire North Central and Pembroke Central while gains further west are possible.

One of the big questions of the night is the impact of independent Harold Darrell on UBP candidate Austin Warner's bid to overturn Cabinet Minister Wayne Perinchief's 75-vote majority in Pembroke Central.

Mr. Darrell, who at the start of the campaign identified himself as the man who leaked the Police files from the Bermuda Housing Corporation probe to the media, has been sharply critical of Premier Ewart Brown who was named in that investigation.

But if Mr. Darrell's intervention in Pembroke Central bleeds support from the United Bermuda Party, Mr. Darrell could turn out to be Dr. Brown's saviour rather than nemisis.

Warwick is another key battleground. Wayne Scott has been campaigning for two years for the UBP in Warwick North Central – held by George Scott by 134 votes in 2003.

However George Scott was shunted out to a neighbouring UBP-held seat while the PLP hope former MP El James will be able to draw votes with his local appeal.

Some political insiders believe PLP MPs Randy Horton and Terry Lister are much less safe than their current majorities might suggest while some feel PLP newcomer Zane DeSilva could take Southampton East Central off UBP stalwart David Dodwell who holds it by just 20 votes.

New Governor Sir Richard Gozney, who only arrived last week, said: "I have been following with great interest media reports of the final days of the election campaign and have been in direct touch with some of those responsible for ensuring another sound Bermudian election on the 18th of December.

"Naturally I hope that all registered Bermudians who want to vote will be able to do so, and to do so without any interference or partisan influence on the day."

Police have also stepped up security in case things turn ugly after polls close.

Bermuda elections have traditionally had a high turn-out compared to other western democracies. Conventional political wisdom has it that PLP voters have traditionally been less likely to turn out in rain as they tended to have more limited transport options.

Bermuda Weather Service Meteorologist Kimberley Zuill said today's forecast is for isolated showers which will quickly move through. A repeat of yesterday's heavy rain is not expected. An overcast day with temperatures touching 66 degrees is predicted.

One MP retiring at this election said Bermuda's voters were traditionally inscrutable about their intentions but this time around it was even more difficult to read.

He said: "This is the strangest election ever. The poker playing by the voters is the best I have ever seen."