General elections were held in Bermuda on 9 November 1998 for all 40 seats in the House of Assembly using a first-past-the-post system. Each constituency returned two members to the House of Assembly.

The election marked the last time voters would go to the polls under the double-member constituency system.

Political Parties & Candidates

A total of 82 candidates from three parties contested the election, with the United Bermuda Party (UBP) presenting a full slate of 40 candidates; the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) presenting 36 candidates; and the National Liberal Party (NLP) presenting three candidates. There were also three independent candidates.

Results

The result was a victory for the opposition Progressive Labour Party (PLP) led by Jennifer Smith, which won 26 of the 40 seats in the House of Assembly. The United Bermuda Party (UBP). led by Pamela Gordon, won the remaining 14 seats.

This was the first General Election won by the PLP since the party was formed almost 35 years before and ended 30 years of UBP rule.

Ms. Smith became the first woman to be elected Premier, as well as the first PLP Premier.

Voter Turnout

Voter turnout was 82.76%