The first votes in the Paget West by-election will be cast today.

Voters who will be overseas and disabled members of the electorate will take part in an advance poll. And Parliamentary Registrar Marlene Christopher said anyone who will be abroad on the official March 31 polling day but who wants to vote will have to have a certificate of intended absence.

But she said her office would issue the necessary certificates between 10 a.m.

and 7 p.m., the opening hours of the Wesley Methodist Church Hall, Hamilton, advance polling station. Proof of absence, like an airline ticket, is required. The by-election will be based on the Parliamentary Register published in June last year.

There are a total of 1,332 voters currently on the register in Paget West. Ms Christopher added that everyone intending to vote, either in the advance poll or on March 31, should check they are listed on the register. The seat was held by Tim Smith and Madeline Joell at the November General Election.

The vacancy was caused by the tragic death of Ms Joell last month. The UBP have put up ex-Senator Patricia Gordon Pamplin to replace her.

A PLP bid to have Mrs. Gordon Pamplin's nomination declared illegal because she allegedly did not comply with the relevant Constitutional and election law on her resignation from Senate failed in a Supreme Court hearing on Monday.

Chief Justice Austin Ward said he could not deal with alleged irregularities in election procedure until after polling had taken place. Previous PLP contestant George Scott will again contest the seat.