Fresh signs are emerging that Bermuda could be edging closer to an election with the Progressive Labour Party printing leaflets while its candidates are booked for a press event on October 22.

That could set the scene for a November poll as Premier Ewart Brown seeks to cash in from reflected popularity from a successful music festival and golf grand slam.

Former Cabinet Minister Renée Webb said: "Yes, I think it might be in November. I am not sure, I hope so."

Ms Webb said she thought the PLP would retain power if the election was held soon but she added: "It will be very close."

She said there were still a lot of undecideds and a lot could happen during the campaign. The Royal Gazette also understands the Premier's press secretary has had a November holiday cancelled in what could be another sign pointing to an imminent campaign.

Another PLP MP, who wished to remain anonymous, said candidates details and photographs had been submitted for election leaflets.

But the MP thought a December poll was most likely when the students are home. And a third Government MP said he believed a late November election was possible but a summer poll was more likely.

"Unless they have got something arranged to fly home a lot of young black students - otherwise they will be ticked off - a lot are hoping to be around to vote."

In the 1998 election, also held in November, the PLP laid on charter planes for those it thought would back their cause, as did the United Bermuda Party.

The third PLP MP said an eye-catching Throne Speech, when Parliament resumes on November 2, could help the campaign gain momentum ahead of an election timed to coincide with the Thanksgiving break in the States.

But he added: "It is almost too quiet for an election - you normally see a lot more aggression. It doesn't feel like an election period right now."

Two PLP MPs said the party's private polls were putting them ahead of the Opposition. One said: "The worst case scenario is the UBP gets 17 seats."

It's thought Patrice Minors and UBP leader Michael Dunkely are running neck and neck in Smith's North which could turn the election. One PLP candidate said little should be read into the printing of leaflets as candidates had been out canvassing for weeks. "Mine are already printed."

But that source also said an election could be just weeks away.

"If I was in Dr. Brown's position I would have it in early in November if I was going for the fourth quarter."

He said any later and people were likely to be distracted by Christmas shopping and trips. "They are baking pies and wrapping presents — they don't want a candidate on their doorstep."

Some pundits believe declining popularity had stalled Dr. Brown's plans for a summer election but the candidate said the Premier was not regarded as a liability by his colleagues.

"It's been an interesting 11 months — he's been unlike any other leader of the PLP but he said he would be different.

"It's not the honeymoon of October to March — people have a more sober, perhaps more realistic view of him, but he's not on the leadership precipice about to be pushed off."

And that source said too much could be read into the assumed voting intentions of students. "I don't think they are a measurably identifiable voter base - participation is usually quite low."