BASSETERRE, St Kitts - The ruling St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) was returned to power in Monday's general election with a slightly reduced majority in an election Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas described as one "of the most crucial" in the history of the twin island federation.

Preliminary figures released by the Electoral Office show that that the SKNLP had won six seats in St Kitts as compared to the seven seats it won in the 2004 general election.

Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas, who won a fourth consecutive term in office, comfortably won his seat in Constituency Six, defeating his challenger Junie Hodge by a margin of 1 905 votes to 179.

The main opposition People's Action Movement (PAM) increased its seats in the Parliament from one to two, after Eugene Hamilton won the St Christopher eight constituency from the incumbent Cedric Roy Liburd (Minister of Housing, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Consumer Affairs), who was seeking a fourth consecutive victory.

The other victory for the PAM came through deputy leader Shawn Richards, who polled 1 128 votes in defeating Dr Norgen Wilson of the SKNLP, who received 985 votes.

PAM leader Lindsay Grant narrowly lost the St Christopher Four seat by 29 votes, polling 1 156 as compared to 1 185 votes received by Glen Fitzroy Phillip of the ruling party.

Both the SKNLP and PAM contested the eight seats that were up for grabs in the election in St Kitts.

In the island of Nevis, where three seats were at stake, the Concerned Citizen's Movement (CCM) did exactly as it had in 2004 when it won two seats to the one taken by the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP).

Former Nevis premier Vance Amory and Mark A.G Brantley were the victorious CCM candidates, while Patrice Nisbett was the lone victor for the NRP.

Addressing thousands of jubilant supporters in the capital yesterday morning, Douglas said he was thankful to the population for putting its trust in his administration.

"I want to thank you . . . . I will continue to serve you," he said over loud cheers and whistles from the supporters who waited for more than 12 hours after the polling stations were closed to be informed of the victory.

"It [the election] is probably the most crucial election we might have in this country, and you have done the right thing," he said, adding "thanks again to the people of this country".

He urged the population to "respect the choice of the people and let the country settle down", adding "let us begin today the healing process".

Yesterday was declared a public holiday. (CMC)