Outgoing Premier Ralph O’Neal’s Virgin Islands Party won 4 seats, down from 11 in the previous Parliament.

NDP leader and former premier Dr Orlando Smith, a 67-year-old physician, who held office from 2003 to 2007, had campaigned on the islands’ economic hardships and that he and the NDP were best able to lead the territory of 25,000 people as it tries to recover from the global recession.

The NDP promised to safeguard the critical tourism and financial services sectors, reduce the cost of living, increase home ownership, and improve schools and hospitals.

Voter turnout was reported to about 75 percent of the 12,600 voters. The official election results are expected to be certified on Wednesday.