The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) secured a second consecutive election victory on Thursday night, marking the first time a political party in The Bahamas has achieved back-to-back wins since 1997.

By around 11pm, the PLP had secured at least 25 seats.

Among the victorious candidates were PLP Leader and Prime Minister Philip Davis in Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador; Deputy Leader Chester Cooper in Exuma; Englerston MP Glenys Hanna-Martin; Seabreeze MP Leslia Miller-Brice; Garden Hills MP Mario Bowleg; Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell; Tall Pines MP Dr Michael Darville; and Elizabeth MP Jobeth Coleby-Davis.

Addressing supporters at Clifford Park in New Providence, Davis thanked Bahamians for their support.

“The country has spoken,” Davis told cheering supporters. “The Bahamian people have made their choice. Today, the Bahamian people chose progress. Today, the Bahamian people choose to move forward, forward with our plans, forward with our team, and forward with my leadership.”

Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard conceded defeat during a speech at the party’s headquarters in Grand Bahama shortly after 10 pm.

Pintard confirmed victories for eight FNM candidates, including himself in Marco City.

Other successful FNM candidates included James Leo Ferguson in MICAL; Lincoln Deal in Freetown; Frazette Gibson in Central Grand Bahama; Kwasi Thompson in East Grand Bahama; Dr Andre Rollins in Long Island; Adrian White in St Anne’s; and Michela Barnett-Ellis in Killarney.

Pintard suggested the party’s defeat was partly influenced by support for the Coalition of Independents (COI) and independent candidates.

“We made the point during the campaign that a vote for the COI or a vote for an independent is a vote for the PLP,” Pintard said.