Hundreds of union members are to vote in presidential elections at the Bermuda Public Services Association next month.

More than 700 of the 2,500 members eligible to vote will choose between reigning president Leleath Bailey and BPSA veteran Betty Christopher.

New general secretary Edward Ball said voters in the February 5 poll -- the BPSA's third annual general election -- would also choose a new assistant recording secretary.

And there will be an advance poll on January 29 for anybody who will be away from Bermuda on election day.

Mr. Ball said: "Our turnout is usually around one third and we would expect something like 700 or 800 people to come and have their say.

"They will have to choose the BPSA's president and the candidates are the incumbent, Leleath Bailey, and long-term union member Betty Christopher.'' He said Janet Burrows and Rita Smith were running for the post of assistant recording secretary but the positions of secretary, treasurer, first, second and third vice president will be uncontested.

Mr. Ball, who succeeded Eugene Blakeney as General Secretary in December, added: "Those posts will be filled either by people already in position or new faces.

"As a team, we would like to see more efficiency and productivity within all of our employing agencies and build up more training and education programmes.

"Employees' rights have to be protected even more now that markets are being opened up and it's up to the union to find a team to increase efficiency so we can better serve the needs of our members.'' He said the new president would be instrumental in helping coordinate two international women's conferences planned for March.

Mrs. Bailey, president for the last two years, said in her election flyer: "We are at a crucial junction. There is a greater need for us to come together.

"Moving towards the Millennium and in preparation for the next election, we need to ensure that the welfare of the members is in good hands. To assure this we need continuity and dedication.'' Mrs. Christopher, who lost the 1996 election by 60 votes, said: "We need a team that's committed to developing a strong trade union.

"I have been on the executive committee for more than 20 years, I'm committed to protecting members' rights and I can be a strong and effective leader.

"We need to keep abreast of technological changes in the global workplace and I would develop programmes to involve our membership in consultation and the negotiation process.'' Leleath Bailey Graphic file name: BAILLEY