election is expected to be decided, The Royal Gazette today looks at Hamilton East.

Dotted with churches, Hamilton East is stable and traditional -- insular even.

But in a three-way fight between the National Liberal, United Bermuda, and Progressive Labour Parties, the constituency's newcomers may decide the next election.

No voting district is growing like Hamilton East, better known as Bailey's Bay.

With 1,171 registered voters at the time of the 1989 election, Hamilton East had swelled by 27 percent to 1,491 when the most recent register was completed in June of 1992. Depending on when the next election is called, growth from 1989 could approach 35 percent.

Traditionally, personality matters more than party in Hamilton East, where Mr.

Gilbert Darrell held his seat after he was bounced from the PLP and became leader of the NLP in 1985.

Mr. Darrell and Mr. Haskins Davis of the UBP were again the choice in 1989, when many voters marked both names on their ballots.

But Mr. Davis has retired to break up the unorthodox "team,'' and some candidates suggest Mr. Darrell should do the same.

Both the UBP and PLP are underlining their candidates youth.

On the Government side, Sen. Wendell Hollis, a lawyer who just turned 40, has joined Bermuda Telephone Company executive Mr. Francis Furbert, 51, who is making his third bid for a seat. Both live in Hamilton East, Sen. Hollis is white with a military and legal background, Mr. Furbert black with a technical background. The UBP says their strengths combine to form the type of team voters prefer.

The candidates challenging for the Opposition are both under 40 and also take a team approach. Sen. Trevor Woolridge is a taxi driver and assistant AME pastor who says Hamilton East gives most visitors their "first and last impressions of the Country.'' First-time candidate Ms Renee Webb, who has a degree in international affairs, owns Buy Smart on Union Street and is a consultant for small businesses.

As the only NLP MP, Mr. Darrell cannot overstate the election's importance.

"It isn't just my one seat,'' said the owner of Gilbert Darrell Store Equipment Ltd. "We've got to get other seats, period.'' Party support in many of the constituency's 700 to 800 households is already known, and it is in the new developments of Sleepy Hollow estates, the Winton Hill and Wyndham Hill condominium complexes, and the Government-sponsored Ducks Puddle development that the contest will be decided.

While Sleepy Hollow appears to be fertile ground for the UBP, no party claims a lock on the voters who have swelled the register.

National issues are expected to dominate, with crime and drugs particularly relevant to residents shocked by a rise in violent incidents and a recent armed robbery in Bailey's Bay.

While the recent addition of Blue Hole Hill and the Dismont property have improved the parks inventory in the area, candidates cited the need for a youth recreation centre.

The recent decision by the Supreme Court to overturn a Liquor Licensing Authority decision and grant a licence to the Enterprise Grocery has already become an election issue.

Residents are talking of a boycott, saying another liquor store in the area is not needed and will lead to drunkenness and property damage. Tomorrow: Pembroke West Central HAMILTON EAST Registered voters (June, 1992) 1,491 1989 results Gilbert Darrell, NLP 378 Haskins Davis, UBP 351 Trevor Woolridge, PLP 332 Francis Furbert, UBP 324 Derrick Burgess, PLP 284 1985 results Haskins Davis, UBP 459 Gilbert Darrell, NLP 404 Francis Furbert, UBP 391 Kenneth Burgess, PLP 136 E.A.W. Maybury, PLP 118.