Marigot:--- Supporters of the RRR political party headed by Alain Richardson had nothing but joy Sunday night when the preliminary results were released. On several occasions they were heard screaming when they saw the RRR was gaining speed at several of the polling stations. Leader of the RRR Alain Richardson thanked God for bringing him and the team of men and women on his list through thus far. Richardson also thanked his group for the hard work they did over the past months but especially this last two weeks. He also thanked the youths of St. Martin whom he said brought about a change in government for the next five years. Richardson said Obama told his supporters that "they can" but he is telling the youths and people of St. Martin "they will" bring about change on March 25th at the second round of the Territorial election. Richardson also issued a strong call to the leader of the Union Pour les Progres Louis Constant Fleming to do the right thing by endorsing his party in the second round since the people of St. Martin have spoken. "It is time for you to encourage your supporters to vote for the RRR next Sunday. You know of the hard work we have done in the council, our team is the most experienced and we are the best group of people who could manage the Collectivity for the next five years," Richardson said. After making his address in French and English, Richardson made sure he addressed the voters of St. Martin on the balcony of the Collectivity. "I am calling on you to go out there next Sunday and vote for us. It does not matter if you voted for the MAP, Generation Solidaire, St. Martin pour Tous or the Union Pour les Progres this week but next week you need to do the right thing and vote for the RRR.
Leader of Team Daniel Gibbs who came in second said that this coming week a lot of deals will be made. Gibbs also thanked his supporters for the confidence they have placed in him and his party. The people have shown that they need something concrete, transparent, and most importantly people that are willing to work.
He said when he stepped aside and decided to join the race for the 2012 Territorial Election his party was known as the little kid. However, the result of the Sunday's election is clear. Gibbs said his doors are open but this party will meet as early as Monday to strategize and to determine how they will move forward. He said his intention is to maintain the party's principles and they are committed to being transparent.
Leader of the Union Pour les Progres Louis Constant Fleming in his address said that the people have spoken and his party will accept the results. Constant Fleming said that he will meet with his team on Monday and they will decide how they will proceed next week for the run off. Constant Fleming congratulated Team Daniel Gibbs and the RRR for their success. He further said that whatever is the outcome of the election next week St. Martin's interest will come first.
Leader of St. Martin pour Tous, Marthe Ogoundele-Tessi thanked her supporters for putting their confidence in her. She said her party received almost 10% of the votes cast and her team will decide on how they will proceed next week. Ogoundele Tessi said it is clear that women have a place in politics on St. Martin and therefore their political life has not ended. The leaders of the MAP Louis Mussington and the leader of Generation Solidare Louis Jeffry did not show up at the Collectivity Sunday night.
The RRR received 3077 (34%), Team Daniel Gibbs 2895 (32%), Union pour les Progres 1195 (13%), MAP 670 (8%), Saint Martin pour Tous 848 (9.4%), and Generation Solidaire 335 (4%).
It should be noted that Sunday's election was not one of the best as there were several persons who showed up to various polling stations and they were not able to vote because their names were not on the voting list. There are over two thousand persons who did not receive their voting cards while the procedure at the various polling stations was extremely slow.

Click here to view more photos of the First Round of the Territorial Elections 2012.

Click here to view the Official Territorial Election First Round Results for St. Martin.

Click here to view the Official Territorial Election First Round Results for St. Barths.