FNM Victory Official:
By Candia Dames -
Nassau, Bahamas:

After a day filled with rumors, misinformation and endless speculation, Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel released most of the official results of the 2007 general election just before midnight last night and confirmed that the Free National Movement had indeed emerged victorious.

The Free National Movement won 22 seats; the Progressive Liberal Party won 14 and there were official results for five constituencies that were not yet in – Elizabeth, Fox Hill, Yamacraw, Pinewood and MICAL.

The 14 seats won by the PLP are: North Andros and the Berry Islands; South Andros; Exuma; Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador; South Eleuthera; West End and Bimini; St. Cecelia; Golden Gates; Farm Road; Fort Charlotte; Bain and Grants Town; Englerston; St. Thomas More and Kennedy.

Mr. Bethel released those results just over an hour after outgoing Prime Minister Perry Christie was rushed by a crowd of enthusiastic Progressive Liberal Party supporters as he showed up to the PLP headquarters on Farrington Road to tell them face to face that they had lost the election on Wednesday.

"All day our lawyers and candidates have been locked into rooms with election officials going through re-counts," he told the crowd on the steps of the Sir Lynden Pindling Centre. "It appears that we will not be successful in this election. It is very, very close."

He said the Free National Movement won some of the seats by 50 votes or fewer.

"Our lawyers will continue to review our legal position because there are concerns that we have, and I shan’t comment on those concerns at this stage because the concerns are based on information provided me, which must be established to my satisfaction before I’m able to speak publicly. I can tell you I’m very sad."

He said he expected that when the results are certified, the numbers will be very close.

"The question of governance and being able to govern effectively will obviously arise," Mr. Christie continued. "In the meantime, you have heard me say on so many occasions that I love you too much for me to cause you to be in any position where there could be a public confrontation."

He told supporters to avoid any possibility of a public confrontation when the results are announced.

Mr. Christie asked PLP supporters to return to their homes and he said he planned to call them together shortly to discuss with them "the way forward."

"It’s very interesting for seats to be won by 50 votes or less," he added. "And so listen now; I want you to know that it is important for all of us to be strong. There are many of our members and supporters who are very sick and very worried over this matter, but you have a leader who has come too far to turn back now."

With that, supporters went wild with apparent motivation.

"This will give me an opportunity to walk on the streets, every street and every corner throughout this island and throughout the Commonwealth and remember, we will not let up; we will not let go and we will not turn back," Mr. Christie said. "Forward ever, backward ever!"

He said all over the country, PLPs have been misled by rumors, and have been celebrating.

"The rumors have been grounded on the fact that these elections have been won on the basis that if 20 people or 25 people had voted for the PLP instead of the FNM, the PLP would have won the seat," Mr. Christie said, "as close as that."

He said he plans to meet with PLP candidates today, many of whom were very tired because they had been re-counting ballots all day.

"Leave here knowing that you’ve seen me," Mr. Christie, "knowing that I’m strong and knowing that I’m committed to forward ever, backward never, and that I’m committed to your cause and to representing your cause and to let you know that you have put enough members in the House of Assembly to be able to look them straight in the eye and to let them know that this country could only be governed if we are a part of that [governance]."

He said PLPs are strong and powerful in the Bahamas and they have proven that.

"So now, knowing that you’re strong, knowing that your leader is with you, let us all agree to hug each other, kiss each other and say goodnight to Gambier House for the time being and then until I see you again, which will be very soon, when I call, I want to see you be there," Mr. Christie concluded before shouting to a thunderous response, "PLP! PLP!"

Prime Minister-elect Hubert Ingraham is expected to be sworn in as prime minister sometime today.

4 May 2007