Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess and his running mate, Renee Webb, took an early lead in the count and never looked back.

All day long the twosome predicted victory and spoke of their excitement about the PLP forming the next Government after 30 years warming the Opposition benches.

"I'm feeling wonderful,'' said Ms Webb. "I'm feeling great and positive. We are going to make it happen.

"I'm looking forward to representing the people of Hamilton once again and I'm looking forward to my party winning.'' Mr. Burgess added: "All I can say is that this is the day that the Lord made -- He will rejoice and be glad. I'm feeling good, very good.'' Jubilant PLP supporters rushed out of the polling station shortly after 11 p.m. shouting "we won, we won''.

Mr. Burgess received 34 percent of the vote and Ms Webb 32 percent while the UBP's Stephen West won 17 percent of the vote and Angelita Fox 17 percent.

Mr. West, the only candidate present for the vote count, was gracious in defeat and complimented his opponents for running a good campaign.

"Let me put it in cricket terms,'' he said. "They won by an inning and by 200 runs.

"They had a well-oiled machine and ran a clean campaign and I really admire them both for that and congratulate them both.'' Just prior to the close of polling Mrs. Fox, a former Cable & Wireless executive, pointed out that area residents seemed to take the vote quite seriously.

"The turnout has been great,'' she said. "Everyone seems to have taken this election quite seriously and have decided to exercise their right to vote.'' Polling officials echoed Mrs. Fox's comments noting that the Holy Trinity Church polling station had received a steady stream of voters all day long.

This was not the first time the people of Hamilton East have solidly voted PLP.

In the 1993 election, Ms Webb took home 24.7 percent of the votes and Rev.

Trevor Woolridge walked away with 24.1 percent of the votes.

And in February of this year, Hamilton East residents went back to the polls in a by-election to replace Rev. Woolridge.

Mr. Burgess was victorious in the by-election winning 65.5 percent of the vote.

RESULTS Derrick Burgess (PLP) 882 Renee Webb (PLP) 823 Stephen West (UBP) 447 Angelita Fox (UBP) 438 Rejected ballots 3