The hunt is on for staff to help run polling stations for the coming election.

Around 144-150 presiding officers are needed for the election which could occur at any time up until autumn next year.

Parliamentary Registrar Randy Scott said: "Currently we have received about 50 applications. These are early days."

The job involves working on shifts throughout the election day which can run up until midnight.

During polling hours presiding officers check voters' details before issuing a ballot and directing the voter to a returning officer who will guide them to the polling booth.

Presiding officers are paid $15 an hour and civil servants are allowed to serve as presiding officers if they have the approval of their immediate supervisor.

Mr. Scott said his staff worked hard at making sure the electoral roll is up to date and he has been encouraged by the response to letters asking voters to confirm their details.

Letters have been sent to 19,000 homes and so far 8,000 responses have been returned.

He hopes it can reduce the seven-day rush, once an election has been called, in which people can amend their details if they have moved.

After the 2003 election was called, 1,000 people turned up to change their particulars, said Mr. Scott who was encouraged Bermudians get excited about elections.

"We can boast a high turnout — 75-80 percent and we can boast a high number of people on the register — some 40,000."

As well as making sure legitimate voters are signed up, his staff also weed out the names of those who have died.

But he says people haven't been tempted to impersonate someone who has died just to add another vote to their favourite party's efforts.

"The Island is too small for that."

He said last time the election ran flawlessly despite the change over from dual-member to single-member constituencies.

Application forms to be a presiding officer can be downloaded from the Government website at www.gov.bm or picked up at the Parliamentary Registrar on the corner of Reid and Parliament Streets.