An objection was raised by the Leader of the Opposition to the venue for an upcoming by-election owing to its association with the Progressive Labour Party’s candidate for the seat.

Jarion Richardson said he wrote to the Governor, Rena Lalgie, on behalf of voters across the island in an effort to maintain a “free, fair and trusted” election process.

The Reverend Emily Gail Dill, for the PLP, Carl Neblett, of the One Bermuda Alliance, Marc Bean, for the Free Democratic Movement, and independent candidate Cire Bean are expected to stand in the by-election for Sandys North on October 4.

Voters will go to the polls in the West End constituency after the resignation last month of Kathy-Lynn Simmons, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform.

It was announced on August 22 that a writ of election was issued and the polling station was set as Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church Hall in Sandys.

A notice published on the Official Gazette last week said that the nomination of candidates would take place on September 19 at the same location.

Dr Dill — who was announced as the PLP candidate on August 30 — is a minister at the church, where her husband is the pastor.

Mr Richardson said it was in his position as Opposition leader that he raised an objection in a letter to the Governor.

He told The Royal Gazette: “I wrote a letter to Her Excellency in objection to the nomination and polling place on the grounds that elections have to be fair to every candidate, they have to be equal. Each candidate has to have the same chances.

“They have to be free and seen to be free of coercion.”

He added: “The others had to be able to see that the results were fair to everyone.

“To that end, I was mindful not to raise the objection on behalf of the One Bermuda Alliance but as the Opposition leader of Bermuda.”

Mr Richardson said that he sent a letter to the Governor on September 11 and told her that, under the circumstances, he was unable to see how a free, fair and trusted election could take place.

He added that his letter claimed the integrity of the by-election would be called into question and “respectfully” requested that the Parliamentary Registrar change the location to one unassociated with any of the candidates.

Mr Richardson said yesterday: “I’m aware that the Governor called a meeting of all four of the candidates and with the Parliamentary Registrar but I was not at that meeting and I’m not going to comment on what happened in that room.”

He explained: “The point of the objection is that I don’t see how we could have a fair, free and trusted election, and I mean that on behalf of everybody — not only candidates.

“I mean that for voters and Bermuda as a whole.

“That was my concern, it was brought to the Governor’s attention, she has obviously taken some action.

“My goal was that it would be moved.”

Dr Dill told the Gazette yesterday that she was “not privy” to information about the church hall’s intended use as the election room before that announcement.

She said: “I was off-island attending the AME General Conference so I was not even aware. But at the time that it was announced, I didn’t even know if I would be a candidate.”

Dr Dill asked to continue the conversation later but when the Gazette called back her phone went to voicemail and a message was left.

The Gazette sent questions to Government House yesterday but no response was received by the time of publication.

When asked for information, Tenia Woolridge, the Parliamentary Registrar, referred the Gazette to Government House.

The FDM said the matter was for the Governor and the Parliamentary Registrar and declined to comment further.

There was no response by the time of publication to e-mails sent to the PLP or Cire Bean.