The results are in and the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM) has won the Barbuda Council Elections.

The elections took place on Wednesday to fill five vacant seats.

All five BPM candidates secured those seats.

Wayde Burton received the biggest tally of votes with 540. Nasia George (451), Jacklyn Frank (428), Melanie Beazer (426), and Nico Antonio (414) were all victorious, defeating the ABLP and Independent candidates.

For the ABLP candidates, Orlando Morris received the most votes with 252. Former MP Arthur Nibbs had 231, Bonita John 222, Bernard Christian- 219 and Mackeisha Desouza, 215.

The two independent candidates Jermaine Desouza and Hesket Daniel received 178 and 58 respectively.

The ABLP fielded candidates for the first time in a few years after having declined to participate in the previous two elections.

Both entities have divergent views on the way forward for Barbuda; the ABLP wants to bring development to Barbuda while the BPM has shown little appetite for any of the

government’s developmental plans.

This is according to the government and with the results showing that the BPM remains in control, the Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office Lionel Hurst recommitted the governments intention to work alongside the Council for the interest of the island.

He is hoping that the tumultuous relationship can move forward on a better path.

Hurst was speaking at Thursday’s Post Cabinet Press Briefing.

There were 1,328 persons eligible to vote.

The voting was held at the Holy Trinity School.