Five potential candidates are expected to file their interest in standing in the vacant Sandys North seat.

Melvin Simmons, Mark Bean, Ellen Kate Horton, Michael Scott and Dawn Simmons are all expected to give notification to the Campaign Committee in Constituency 36, where a by-election is now needed following the death of Finance Minister Eugene Cox.

Ms Horton, sister of Cabinet Minister Randy Horton, and Senate Leader Michael Scott are looking to be favourites to stand.

Given the sensitivity of the situation, no one is yet prepared to comment, although speculation remains rife.

Michael Scott seems to be the favourite at this stage, already holding a Cabinet position as Minister of Legislative Affairs.

Given the PLP?s track record of rewarding loyalty, Mr. Scott, currently the Acting Attorney General in the absence of Paula Cox, would seem to have served his time and appears to have earned the right to be given a relatively safe seat to stand in.

If, as speculation would indicate, Paula Cox were to take over the Finance Ministry, Mr. Scott would also be ideal fill the Attorney General?s shoes.

A spokesman for the PLP said last night: ?The Progressive Labour Party cannot confirm or deny the existence of interested individuals or whether they have submitted written or verbal indicators of intent.

?As you are aware, we have a distinct process that is automatically engaged in unique situations such as this.

?We will refrain from comment out of respect for the Cox Family but we are painstakingly aware that the process, irrespective of influence, will naturally proceed.

?The country and members can all remain confident that eventually the potential candidates will be identified and, in due course, the constituency will make the democratic determination.?

The UBP also remains unwilling to give any official details on who they would put up in a by-election, but understands that Gerald Fubler, who lost out to by nearly 200 votes to Mr. Cox in the last election, will not be standing again for health reasons.

It is believed that a newcomer to the party is likely to be fielded, although sources in the party were unable to offer any names at this stage.

In the July 2002 election, Sandys North was the first result to be declared, taking just two hours and 35 minutes of counting at Somerset Primary School for Mr. Cox to poll 451 votes to Mr. Fubler?s 252.