As the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) gears up to select a candidate for the upcoming Pembroke East Central by-election, competition for the nomination is likely to be quite keen.

Pembroke branch chairman Scott Pearman told The Royal Gazette that a number of “qualified” candidates had put their names forward.

So far only Sen. Calvin Smith and Rolfe Commissiong have gone public with their ambition to fill the seat vacated by David Allen's death.

“I know at least two have identified themselves through the media and at this point in time we have had letters of interest put forward to the branch and we are respecting each one of those letters. Obviously some persons have expressed interest on their own. They (Mr. Commissiong and Sen. Smith) are not the only ones who are interested.”

He declined to identify the other potential candidates when asked.

“The preparation is going smoothly. We have interested and qualified candidates. The most important thing to consider is that the constituents of Pembroke East Central have lost their elected member of Parliament. Minister David Allen had served that area very well and was extremely hardworking, as we all know, and their needs must be taken into consideration. There will be every opportunity to vet and identify the candidate who they think will represent them best going into the future.”

He also declined to say whether he himself was interested in representing the constituency. “I will neither confirm nor rule out any candidates at this point in time,” he said in response to that question.

Mr. Pearman said that constituents will be given a chance to make their wishes known at meetings to take place soon.

“We know that a lot of the national issues will come up, but certainly we are going to be measuring the local issues in that constituency and paying very close attention to them.”

The branch will recommend one candidate to the Central Committee body responsible for making the final decision.

“The mechanism is well underway - it may happen quite quickly and if necessary it may take a little longer than quite quickly. We have already had one meeting since Minister Allen's passing even though it was prior to his funeral so out of respect there was very little discussion as to his successor. And we will be having more meetings with the membership... those communications are beginning now.”

Pembroke branch is one of the largest in the PLP organisation and will consequently have a major say in election of officers at the party's November delegates' conference.

He confirmed that conference delegates have already been selected.