night.

Now voters will go the polls in Paget East and Devonshire South on Tuesday, May 6.

Registrar-General Marlene Christopher said last night that nomination day for official candidates will be on Tuesday, April 22, while a special advance poll for people who will be absent or are disabled will be held on Tuesday, April 29.

Voters for the replacement for Sir John Swan's Paget East will poll at the Botanical Gardens' Horticultural Hall while the electorate in David Saul's Devonshire South constituency will use Christ Church Hall, Middle Road.

Mrs. Christopher reminded voters in both constituencies that Parliamentary Register in use for the votes will be the June 1996 to June 1997 version, with no boundary changes.

Election date set And she advised all potential voters to check the register before going to the polls.

The news came as a third candidate for the United Bermuda Party nomination withdrew -- after being given a special 24-hour extra period to get his papers in.

UBP Devonshire South branch chairman Grace Young last night confirmed under-fire businessman Raymond Davis -- who owes around $2 million -- has pulled out of the race to be MP for the Devonshire South UBP stronghold.

The move came only a day after a special meeting of the branch allowed a grace period for Mr. Davis, who uses the name Khalid Wasi, following confusion over the closing date for completed nomination forms.

Ms Young said Mr. Davis called her yesterday evening to tell her of his decision -- only ten days ahead of the primary contest.

She added: "He basically said he was running around and trying to get people to endorse him and it was kind of late now. He just changed his mind and said he couldn't do it.'' Ms Young added that an advance primary poll will be held tomorrow for the UBP party faithful who want to cast a vote, but who will be away on the official primary contest date of April 17.

But she said: "Voters must have proof that they will be off the Island on that date.'' Mr. Davis' decision leaves dairy chief Michael Dunkley and former banker turned restaurateur Joe Gibbons fighting it out for the Devonshire South UBP nomination.

Also in the frame for the by-election is the National Liberal Party chairman Charles Jeffers.

In Paget East, three candidates -- Government Senate Leader Lynda Milligan-Whyte, Kim Young, the owner/manager of Hamilton's Bookmart and former Women's Advisory Council chairman and just-resigned UBP deputy chairman David Sullivan -- are in race for UBP approval.

The Progressive Labour Party is yet to show its hand in either race -- but party insiders say the leadership is keeping its powder dry until the UBP candidates the Opposition will face are confirmed.