Montserrat’s first premier Reuben T. Meade led his new party, United Alliance (UA) to victory tonight with a resounding win at the polls, capturing five of the nine seats needed to form a government,
From the early results, it was clear that the ruling Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP) had lost its foothold and would struggle for position throughout the counting.
All 34 of the nominated candidates contested the elections. Of note, is that UA’s candidate #9 George Kirnon had his nomination quashed then reinstated after a high court ruling overturned the Returning Officers decision.
MCAP’s lone member in the top nine was Crenston Buffonge. The former Minister of Agriculture held the number one position for most of the night, a mark of the regard that voters have for him and his work over the past five years.
Dr. Ingrid Buffonge, the island’s favourite female physician held second place for most of the night then moved up to first place with 1034 at the 3:31 update.
UA leader Reuben T. Meade, who had been trailing behind his party members Dr. Buffonge, John Osborne and Veronica Dorsette-Hector moved into the third position at the same time. Dorsette-Hector was a Parliamentary Secretary with MCAP and crossed the floor shortly before the end of the last parliamentary sitting. She will now be back in government with UA.
The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) solidified their position in the top nine with the presence of leader Paul Lewis and former PDM Leader Donaldson Romeo in sixth and seventh position, respectively. PDM candidates Nyota Mulcare and Jermaine Wade played musical chairs throughout the evening swapping places between ninth and tenth place.
Businessman and UA candidate, Dwayne Hixon held on to the eighth position at the end of the count.
The presence of only one member of MCAP in the top nine indicated a clear displeasure with the party and their inability to deliver for the people.
First-time candidate for MCAP Siobhan Tuitt was in the top nine for a few hours but eventually fell to 12th position. She was three spots ahead of outgoing premier and former party leader Joseph “Easton Taylor” Farrell at number 15 and six spots ahead of the party leader Dr. Samuel Joseph.
Independent candidates did not fear well in the elections. Debra Lewis, the former Director of External Affairs was the highest independent vote getter in position 27 with 450 votes.
See all the results on the election website at Montserrat National Elections
Stats
Registered voters – 3,468
Actual voter turnout – 2343
Voter turnout percentage – 67.63%
Vote Allocation
Crenston Buffonge – MCAP – 1093
Ingrid Buffonge – UA – 1086
Reuben T. Meade – UA – 1068
John Osborne – UA – 1067
Veronica Dorsette – UA – 983
Paul Lewis – PDM – 976
Donaldson Romeo – PDM – 849
Dwayne Hixon – UA – 786
Nyota Mulcare – UA – 785
