Lobby group The Association for Due Process and the Constitution has performed a `useful' role in electoral reform, according to Boundaries Commission chairman Sir Frank Blackman.

Sir Frank said that, while an Association sponsored advert contained questions outside of the Boundaries Commission's remit, the ad was a helpful guide for the formulation of opinions.

"It has enabled people to express their views. They have provided a good service," he said. "Looking at that advertisement it raises questions which I think have enabled people to be able to formulate views and to express those views. So I'm saying it's useful to that extent. Whether they have a private agenda is a different matter. I do not necessarily know of any agenda - the only agenda is for the interests of Bermuda."

The Association opposes the handling of electoral reform, saying the Constitution should not be changed without a Constitutional Conference. And it has been trying to broaden the scope of debate beyond the issue of how many constituencies Bermuda should have in a single seat first past the post system.

The final meeting between the public and the Boundaries Commission took place yesterday.

The meetings were meant as a forum for the public to express their views on the number and boundaries of the constituencies under a single seat electoral system. While most of the black people attending the meetings have been approving of the process, a persistent group, mainly whites, have been questioning the integrity of the process.

Sir Frank does not see it in black and white.

"I haven't recognised divisions at the public meetings," he said. "Personally I may recognise one or two speakers but I have not been recognising any divisions. I see them as people of Bermuda who have an interest in the country and who are expressing some concern on what is happening or what is not happening.

"We're looking at these views as views of the people of Bermuda. If it so happens that most of the people expressing these views belong to one particular association this has not been my concern - I am listening to individual views.

"I notice the expression of views has a racial spread so again we are not concerned with any racial divisions - I certainly am not. I do understand there is some kind of problem with one or other side - or two or three sides - there may be more than two sides." He said that the Commission was unprecedented in that it had to seek the views of the public. "I could well understand that because of the change in the system, it is considered that the Commission should have the benefit of the views of the public."

Sir Frank added that he had been a little disappointed that some of our meeting halls were not crowded to overflowing.

Does that mean a lack of interest? Or is it because the meetings were broadcast that people remained away from the meeting?".

Over 100 written submissions have been received by the Commission, and more than 200 people have attended the public meetings.

Sir Frank said, while many of the Association provided forms had come in, they were treating them as submissions from individuals.

The Commission was expecting, and looking forward to, a submission from the Association itself.

The Boundaries Commission adjourns this week and will resume its deliberations in a few weeks.

While yesterday's meeting in Somerset was the last opportunity for the public to meet directly with the Commission, a cut off date for written submissions has not yet been set.