Today's election has few certainties -- except that Bermuda will have a black woman Premier-designate by the end of the day.

The election race is set to be even closer than the 1993 clash, which saw the United Bermuda Party triumph over the Progressive Labour Party with 22 seats to 18.

And -- with the stakes so high -- shorter tempers and a dirtier campaign than last time out was only to be expected.

UBP supporters blundered with a controversial unofficial ad -- which was condemned by Premier Pamela Gordon -- featuring dreadlocked St. George's North PLP candidate Delaey Robinson.

And PLP-supporting flyers making personal attacks on UBP candidates, including the Premier and her sister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin -- disowned by PLP chiefs -- also became an ugly but regular feature of the campaign.

It is not surprising that the worst of the offending campaign literature, from both sides, concentrated on some of the same constituencies which held the keys to power in 1993 -- Hamilton East and West, St. George's North and South and Warwick East and West.

Ms Gordon said last night all issues depended on the strength of the economy -- and hammered home the message of inclusion.

And she added: "What was important to me was that I wanted the people of this Country to understand that you can't lift up one group by putting down another.

"We feel that all of us have a place in the Bermuda of tomorrow -- we need to be able to understand those who have the wealth and those who are suffering so that they know there is hope and opportunity in the Bermuda we're trying to shape.'' She added: "Economies don't run on emotion -- without a strong economy, that affects the ability of people to do well. It's not just materialism...it's based on the fact it helps if people aren't stressed from the economic standpoint.'' Party leaders prepare for close election Ms Smith said she was satisfied all her candidates had done their work and it was now up to the voters.

She added that she hoped the electorate would use their right to take time to vote.

And she said: "The issues remained the same from the beginning to the end -- education, jobs, drugs, crime and safety and housing.'' Ms Smith said: "I'm cautiously optimistic and I've seen most of our candidates -- they're all in good spirits and I'm looking forward to a peaceful day of voting tomorrow.'' She added: "I am surprised at the positive reaction we have encountered throughout Bermuda and that has remained constant, in spite of electioneering.'' Boundary Commission changes which come into effect for the first time today muddy the waters even further, particularly in Hamilton Parish.

Even the weather could play a key factor -- with no rain forecast, traditionally an indicator of a high turnout.

The National Liberal Party, running four candidates instead of the 1993 total of eight, are unlikely to prove a force today.

NLP chairman Charles Jeffers said people recognised the importance of the economy -- but added social issues were well to the fore -- education, the ageing population and housing.

And he insisted the neck-and-neck nature of the race could benefit his party.

He said: "One or two seats could leave us a real say in what goes on.'' Independents, however, like former PLP stalwarts Kenneth Bascome in St.

George's North and Philip Perinchief in Pembroke West, may prove to be more significant.

Ms Gordon and Finance Minister Grant Gibbons have both been heavily involved in combatting a crackdown on dodgy offshore jurisdictions.

The multi-national Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union are both conducting probes -- perhaps the most serious threats to the Island's prosperity in the run-up to the new century.

By contrast, the PLP team of Jennifer Smith and her Finance spokesman Eugene Cox failed to grasp the nettle on the issue.

And when Mr. Cox finally did speak, he shot his party's credibility in the foot when he warned a UBP initiative to push hi-tech Internet business, e-commerce, as Bermuda's economic "third pillar'' could damage the Island's image in the eyes of the OECD.

But he spoke on the eve of a major conference hosted by the organisation to push e-commerce to its international membership.

Dr. Gibbons performed well in the run-up to the election -- and Ms Gordon has sought to create a new-look UBP.

She prioritised social issues, including ambitious plans to wreck or refurbish disused homes used as crack houses and build a hundred new homes across the Island. But it is up to the voters whether that has been enough to convince them to vote for another UBP term.

PLP problems included one-time Pembroke West PLP candidate Rodney Smith being forced to withdraw from the contest after a highly-publicised eviction of one of his tenants amid a PLP drive to make affordable housing a key campaign issue.

And, in the dying days of the campaign, Alex Scott caused a storm of protest when he said the UBP and its big business supporters were "too close'' to the drugs problem -- even "unwittingly'' -- to tackle importation of drugs and money laundering.

That was -- predictably -- pounced on by the UBP as putting Bermudian jobs at risk and, perhaps more seriously, slammed by business organisations across the Island.

Other issues include the likely offer of full British citizenship to the peoples of the remaining UK Overseas Territories and a row with the US over a multi-million dollar clean-up at the old Base lands.

`Debate-gate' -- the long-running row over the format and timing of head-to-head clashes between Ms Gordon and Ms Smith -- probably ended with honours even.

Ms Gordon gained the initiative with the challenge -- but the PLP rallied back, demanding a town-hall style format with an audience and the UBP insisting on a TV studio setting.

But the PLP slogan "no debate without a date'' for the General Election could have been introduced faster than nine days after the gauntlet was thrown down.

The leader of the National Liberal Party has issued a special message to residents asking all to pray for peace and prosperity.

And Charles Jeffers warned that everyone show restraint and accept the results of today's General Election.

"We are on the threshold of a new day in the political life of Bermuda,'' he said. "All political leaders must set the right example and send the proper message to Bermuda and the world after the results are known.'' Mr. Jeffers, the party chairman, added that the voting public should not get "messages of fear or frustration'' and should see their leaders work together for the common good.

TEAM APPROACH -- Premier Pamela Gordon and Southampton West running mate Tourism Minister David Dodwell speak to the Quinn family yesterday.

ON THE DOORSTEP -- PLP Leader Jennifer Smith and running mate Delaey Robinson hit the campaign trail in St. George's North yesterday in the last hours before the Island goes to the polls.