Barack Obama was last night re-elected as the president of the United States of America and will serve a second consecutive term after beating out Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Just after 11:00 p.m. Tuesday President Obama was declared the winner after capturing 274 electoral votes and becoming that country’s 44th president.

Only 270 electoral votes were needed, Mr. Romney captured just 203 by that time.

According to international projections from the unofficial numbers President Obama will win his home state of Illinois as well as Mr. Romney’ s home state of Massachusetts — where the Republican previously served as governor.

He will also win his opponent’s birth state of Michigan, along with New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia, according to the projections.

However, in the tight race Mr. Romney will win Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah and Georgia, according to international press projections.

The results from other US states were still trickling in up to press time.

But at a private viewing party put on by the U S Embassy in Nassau at the Liberty Overlook Tuesday night, US Charge d’Affaires John Dinkelman said the outcome of last night’s US presidential elections would not have changed the Bahamas/US relationship no matter who would have won.

“The relationship between our two nations will remain vibrant and strong based on mutual respect, common democratic values and a love of freedom,” he said. “The Bahamas is a shining example of democracy for the Caribbean, for the hemisphere and indeed for the world.

“To all of our Bahamian friends, please know that the United States of America stands with you as an ally, a partner, neighbour and friend, and looks forward to continuing to build on this relationship in the years to come.”

As the election results for Barack Obama and Mitt Romney trickled in hundreds of invited guests watched international news reports showcasing the nail biting numbers for both the Republican and Democratic candidates.

Mr. Dinkelman said although the tight race in the United States might have meant the cutting of some ties in that country it does not mean the same thing for The Bahamas.

“The relationship will remain strong, it will remain close, in a sense the more change things the more things remain the same,” he added. “There are certain issues regarding bilateral relationships that don’t necessarily get changed by a win, by an election, by a term, by an administration because the geopolitical reality is that we are cheek to jaw.

“Miami will remain 100 miles away and that Bahamians and Americans will find that going to each others country’s will remain a point of joy, relaxation and plenty shopping.”

Among the partygoers were noted local political figures who weighed in on why this presidential election means so much to The Bahamas.

“The U S is not only our nearest neighbour but they are our biggest ally and we are so grateful to the cordial relationship we both enjoy,” said Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler Turner. “Obviously America means a lot to The Bahamas in terms of the economy of The Bahamas and the saying is when they sneeze we catch a cold and that is so true. Democracy is certainly alive and well.”

Parliament Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development Renward Wells was also there and noted the local importance of this election.

“It’s an extremely relationship, actually the most important relationship for this country,” he said. “We have a lot of strategic partnerships, we get most of our tourists from there and the lives of Bahamians and those in the United States are interwoven in many ways so for us nurturing this relationship is better for us.

“Who the US chooses, how their economy grows, the foreign policy, all of these things affects us so we must always be around the table talking to them so they know our concern and they know ours.”

Also weighing in was Gaming Board Chairman and Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins.

“The United States is the world’s super power,” he said. “We are literally on their doorstep and we have enjoyed a tremendously good relationship with the United States of America,” Dr. Rollins said. “All we want is to promote a harmonious relationship between The Bahamas and the United States.”

Last night’s election viewing party had all the makings of an American election with a booth set up for a mock straw vote where partygoers got the chance to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Around 10:00 p.m. the result from that fun size election was called and saw Barack Obama beat Mitt Romney with 131 votes.

There was also life size cut outs of both the president and his political opponent that served as the night’s popular photo booth.