Bridgetown.
The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has defied the polls and was returned to office in a stunning victory in the early hours of this morning.
The DLP lead by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart won 16 of the 30 seats in the House of Assembly, the Barbados Labour Party under the leadership of Opposition Leader Owen Arthur won 13 seats, a recount is being done in St Michael South East constituency which was contested by Patrick Tannis of the DLP and Santia Bradshaw of the BLP.
Drama and suspense were key factors during the night as the results of the ballot boxes were announced on radio and television, at one stage the political analysts were predicting a a victory for the BLP.
They prediction based on a poll conducted last weekend and published in one of the newspaper which indicated a seven percent swing towards the BLP.
Later in the night several analysts were suggesting the result were a dead heat with both parties receiving 15 seats.
Just after 2 a.m Adriel Brathwaite won the St Philip South constituency to give the DLP a narrow victory.
Speaking to press and supporters at the DLP headquarters at George Street, Stuart thanked the people of Barbados for re-electing his party to office for a second five year term.
"The general elections is behind us. The public has given us the mandate to lead this country for the next five years. We are not going to govern with any malice. We will put what happen during the campaign behind and get on with the job of leading Barbados Stuart", told hundreds of cheering supporters.
"We have to focus now on making the lives of all Barbadians better. I call on all of you to put your hands to the plough and let us get on with the job of making our country the best island in the world", the Prime Minister said.
He stated that he was sadden that some polticians were encouraging young men to sell their votes.
"If we have young men being corrupted in this manner by local politicians. What are we going to do when a foreigner who has no regard for our country does the same thing"? asked Stuart.
"I am sadden by this and I think that our country is weaken when political bandits can seek to buy votes. Let me assure you. If you needed to be reassured that you have a Prime Minister that cannot be corrupted. You have a Prime Minister and government that will not let you down", he added.
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