Devonshire North.

Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade and Mrs. Lois Browne Evans crushed their challengers with brutal ease.

Between them they picked up a whopping 1,797 votes, leaving their UBP rivals Dr. James King and Mr. Charles Marshall trailing in their wake.

So confident were the PLP pair they left the vote count within minutes of the start.

They switched their focus to the battle royal being waged elsewhere.

The pair and their supporters remained huddled around a radio in a corridor at Prospect Primary School.

And by the time the result was announced at about 9.30 p.m. interest in the constituency had disappeared.

"Obviously we were more interested in what was happening in the other constituencies,'' said Mr. Wade, who collected 892 votes.

"At this stage it seems the election is a real cliffhanger, and there could be a hung Parliament.

"I don't know what would happen. It could be up to the Governor to decide.'' The former party leader Mrs. Browne Evans appeared even more confident about the PLP's fortunes.

"I hope to return to the headquarters to find we are the Government.'' Mrs. Browne Evans again topped the polls in the Devonshire North stronghold, where she has stood since 1963.

This time she collected 905, just eight fewer than 1989.

Buoyant after such a handsome victory, she even voiced sympathy for the United Bermuda Party.

"I felt sorry for them that there wasn't a straight fight between us and them.

"The National Liberal Party obviously took votes away from them.'' Dr. James King and Mr. Charles Marshall agreed with this analysis.

Neither was surprised at another thumping PLP triumph.

Said Mr. Marshall: "Dr. King and myself have certainly met a great number of people over the past few weeks.

"I think the party has done better than last time, but the NLP was a big setback for us.

"There is no doubt the NLP took votes away from us.'' Mr. Marshall, however, sounded a warning to the PLP.

"There are a lot of people disgruntled with the present incumbents and they are going to have to go out and see their constituents a lot more.'' The NLP's Mr. Austin Thomas was keen to praise his campaign team and supporters.

Despite coming fifth, Mr. Thomas said he had enjoyed the fight, and was far from downhearted.

A total of 1,945 people were eligible to vote, and there were 1,399 ballots cast.

RESULTS Lois Browne Evans (PLP) 905 Frederick Wade (PLP) 892 James King (UBP) 344 Charles Marshall (UBP) 343 Austin Thomas (NLP) 212 Void ballots 0.

FOR THE PLP -- Mr. Frederick Wade carries his ballot from the voting booth at Devonshire North.

OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION