FOUR VOTES: Former Bahamas PM loses seat after recount

The former Bahamas prime minister has lost his seat after a 24-hour recount confirmed Free National Movement’s Reece Chipman as Centreville MP.

Following his party’s landslide defeat, it is a humiliating personal defeat for the 73-year-old Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) leader, who had already begun his political career when Chipman, 36, was born.

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The PLP are yet to confirm whether they will look to take the result to electoral court.

New MP Chipman said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Christie fought the seat further.

“It is a close race and if he endeavours to pursue the developments of this community for the next five years, then so be it. I’ll see him in election court.”

No statement has been made on Christie’s future, although WIC News understands that his retirement is a strong possibility.

Valentine Grimes, a PLP trustee, described her party leader as “very upbeat”.

“[Christie] accepts the decision of the Bahamian people,” Grimes added.

‘The real work can begin’

After the recount results were announced, a visibly emotional Chipman pledged to focus on community building.

“There’s a lot of work to do and we’re ready and up to the challenge,” he told supporters.

“The main purpose for me is to build the spirit of the community back again. I intend to be result-oriented. I want to see things [happen]. I want to see plans move from beginning to end. Annually, we want to make sure that we see the results of my representation.

“We want to educate and make the community aware of all of the resources that are afforded to them so that they can hold me accountable for their resources. We also want to empower the community and encourage entrepreneurship.