A procedural glitch nearly cost NLP candidate Edwin Armstrong an opportunity to run in the upcoming Devonshire North by-election.

Returning officers queried a signature of the person who had seconded Mr.

Armstrong's nomination.

The problem was discovered around 12.45 p.m., which meant that there were only 15 minutes left to verify the signature.

In the end a returning officer had to mount a motorcycle and dash off to Keith Simmons' home on Loyal Hill with a Police escort.

The Royal Gazette understands that the nomination form had been stamped instead of signed in the usual manner because Mr. Simmmons is unable to write.

An accident on a construction site back in 1985 confined him to a wheelchair.

However the returning officer was able to verify that the stamp was a valid one after a trip to Mr. Simmons' home and Mr. Armstrong's nomination was accepted.

Each candidate was required to come to the polling station yesterday along with their proposer and seconder between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

They had to pay $250 to the Accountant General and the receipt was placed with the official nomination papers.

The by-election will take place on October 10 with the advance poll for absent and incapacitated voters taking place on October 3.

Stewart Greenslade, the United Bermuda Party candidate, arrived with his wife Della and proposer Jerry Ming.

Mr. Greenslade said that he has received many warm words of encouragement since he started canvassing in the constituency.

"I have truly enjoyed it,'' he said. "And I intend to keep right on going right up until election day and even afterwards.'' Similarly, Mr. Armstrong said the impressions gathered since he began canvassing for the NLP have been favourable and the feedback has been good.

"They have made me feel very positive about what I am about to do for them and for the Country,'' he said.

"I am looking forward to getting on with the election part of it and to getting on with my job which is working with the people and for the country.'' Meanwhile Paula Cox of the Progressive Labour Party, the favourite to win in the PLP stronghold, said she was aware of the tremendous responsibility placed on her shoulders by people both young and old in the constituency who wanted to see change.

But she said her doorstep visits have shown that people are concerned about the economy, crime and their safety.

"I think people are very much concerned about putting the interests of the community first whether you are looking at Friswell's Hill or Loyal Hill.

"I think people are basically talking about coming back together as a community and reknitting the social fabric. These are issues that I am very comfortable with.'' Ianthia Wade, wife of late Opposition leader Frederick Wade who held the seat from 1968 until his death last month, said she was honoured to have nominated Ms Cox.

"I am sure that she will do an excellent job,'' she said. "My husband was very proud of her and her accomplishments. I think she will win the seat and do the PLP justice.'' While the mainstream candidates were through handing in their nomination forms before 12 p.m., Gershwyn (Shiloh) Smith came to hand in his nomination as an independent around 12.30 p.m.

Mr. Smith said he was concerned about equal rights for all Bermudians and had just begun to canvass in Devonshire North.

But Mr. Smith is no stranger to the political arena. He ran as an Independent in Hamilton East where he gained three votes. At that time he ran on a platform that sought to legalise cannabis.

"I've heard people say that there are three horses in this by-election race,'' he said. "But I came in riding on a donkey.'' CLITHC -- Edwin Armstrong