Estates Minister Neletha Butterfield and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Kim Wilson have been selected as Progressive Labour Party candidates.

In an evening of drama the contest for Pembroke West Central proved the tightest so far in the primaries.

The first count produced an unprecedented 35-35 tie between the incumbent Ms Butterfield and her challenger, Junior Finance Minister David Burt.

Minutes later, a recount determined victory for Ms Butterfield, by a margin of just one vote — 35 to Senator Burt's 34.

“It was very, very close,” Ms Butterfield admitted afterwards, as branch members left the hall at West Pembroke Primary School.

Of her challenger, she said: “It was quite obvious that he did a good job.”

Ms Butterfield added: “There were also quite a few of my own supporters that didn't show up tonight” while Sen Burt declined to comment.

Meanwhile, Sen Wilson defeated her three competitors by winning selection in Sandys South Central.

She beat off competition from lawyer Larry Scott, PLP member Marcus Jones and party organiser Makai Dickerson. Fifth candidate executive officer Dawn Simmons failed to show at the candidate selection meeting at Allen Temple AME Church.

Sen Wilson refused to talk to The Royal Gazette after the vote, but had handed out leaflets to residents saying she had “a proven track record of knowledge, experience, passion and commitment”.

It said Sen Wilson was “here to serve” and highlighted her strong sense of family values and community, her knowledge of law, order and justice and described how she was an independent thinker with innovative ideas.