Anthony Richardson is the Progressive Labour Party candidate for constituency 12.He was announced at a busy Nomination Day ceremony that also saw 15 independent candidates put their names forward — a record number in recent years.Mr Richardson was called in after Makai Dickerson quit on Wednesday night, having admitted he was caught by police with cannabis.A former Accountant General, Mr Richardson made an unsuccessful bid to represent Devonshire South Central in Parliament last year, but lost to One Bermuda Alliance leader Craig Cannonier in a by-election.The two will meet again at the polls on December 17.Former civil servant LeYoni Junos arrived at the Seventh-day Adventist Centre minutes before the 1pm deadline.She is to run as an independent in highly contested Pembroke South East against the PLP's Rolfe Commissiong, the OBA's Jeff Baron and independent candidate Tillman Darrell.For Gershwyn Smith, of the community activist group The Young Progressives, this election marks his seventh attempt to earn a seat in Parliament.He will run in Hamilton South against the governing party's Diallo Rabain and the OBA's Sylvan Richards.Mr Smith promised to run on a platform of “truth, reconciliation and peace”.Economy Trade and Industry Minister Patrice Minors' father Kingsley Francis will run in St George's South against the PLP's Leroy Bean and the OBA's Suzann Holshouser.Meredith Stapff will take on another independent, Erwin Adderley, and his sister Jeanne Atherden who is running for the OBA.The PLP's Vincent Ingham is also battling for that Pembroke West seat.Meanwhile David William Burch — not to be confused with PLP candidate for Warwick North Central Lt Col David Arnold Burch — is running in Warwick South East against Alexis Swan of the OBA and Lawrence Scott of the PLP.Former UBP leader Kim Swan is seeking re-election in St George's West as an independent candidate.“I'm proud to be here to offer myself to the will and service of the people of St George's,” he said. “This is their time, their opportunity to have their voices heard.”Pembroke South West independent candidate Jonathan Starling said of the coming election: “It should be good. I think that this year the independent voter is really going to make a difference.”Pembroke South West candidate David Petty agreed: “The size of the independent voting body is huge. We represent an incredible amount of the electorate.”Independent MP Charlie Swan urged people to vote with their hearts; Cornell Fubler said it was important that voters had an option outside the two main parties.Mr Darrell, who will be running in constituency 21, said: “I think it's time that we as voters move away from voting for candidates based on parties and towards voting for candidates that support our best interests.“Candidates are not bound to parties, so why should voters?”Candidates were previously nominated in their own constituencies, this year all nomination took place at the King Street centre.The majority of OBA candidates were waiting outside the building before nominations got underway at 11am.Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier said: “You can see the excitement from the candidates. We are here for a reason, and we are here to bring Bermuda a new way forward in politics.“We are excited and we are ready to get things done.”Premier Paula Cox said she was optimistic.“I always go into any election with a view to win,” she said. “I'm so proud of our team of qualified candidates who are in touch with their communities.“We have a team of caring people who love our Island and our people.“When voters go to the polls on election day, know that you are choosing between two candidates and we encourage you to pick the candidate that cares most about your constituency and who will most ably be able to serve you in the House of Assembly.”Tourism Minister Wayne Furbert said of the governing party: “We are fired up. Fired up. I wish the election was tomorrow.”PLP candidate Terry Lister said the party was in a good shape and eager to continue its work in Government.Dale Butler meanwhile, said he felt both the PLP and the OBA worked hard.“I think the Country has been waiting for an election, and I believe Bermuda has an international reputation for running elections at high levels. I'm looking forward to it again.”OBA candidate Suzann Holshouser said she was disappointed the timing of the election could limit the number of students able to vote.