The two candidates for the Pembroke West by-election appear to be running neck and neck in their coverage of the constituency.

Both Carvel VanPutten, candidate for the ruling Progressive Labour Party and the United Bermuda Party's Jamahl Simmons, claim to have visited hundreds of households.

Yesterday the two were formally nominated as candidates by their respective supporters.

Mr. Simmons was nominated by long-time friend Tyrone Smith and seconded by his campaign chairman John Amott.

"The work continues," Mr. Simmons said shortly after being nominated. "I'm looking forward to getting out and hitting the ground again."

Canvassing so far had covered three postal zones (out of a total of 14) which included about 300 households. "We still have a long way to go," he said.

And he took the opportunity to respond to being labelled a "novice candidate" by the PLP public relations officer Glenn Blakeney.

"I am a novice. And I'm proud of being a novice," said Mr. Simmons. "I'm a novice at being arrogant, I'm a novice at raising taxes and I'm a novice at breaking promises."

Mr. VanPutten's team, which included the Premier, Senator David Burch, Delaey Robinson, the party's national campaign manager, had left the premises when the media arrived. He was nominated by his 30-year-old son JaJa VanPutten and retired plumber Ronald Simmons. When contacted at his workplace, he told The Royal Gazette that he felt like a marathon runner in the first quarter of a race.

"I guess the race is really on now," he said. "I'm very comfortable - it's just like being a marathon runner in the first quarter of the race. The wind is behind my back, the weather's good and there's good applause."

The PLP candidate said he had personally covered about 150 households in his canvassing of the district and there were other teams going out on his behalf. "People are being very supportive, very positive," he said.

He said he was enjoying the campaign trail in his neighbourhood. "They're common people, with nice houses, nice attitudes," Mr. VanPutten, 55, said of his constituents. "The race card is not played in any way. They want to talk and are concerned about their community."

The poll takes place February 6 at West Pembroke School on North Shore Road.

It was made necessary by the December 17 resignation of the UBP's Gary Pitman from the House of Assembly.

The incapacitated and those who will be off the Island February 6 incapacitated can cast their votes on January 31, the date set for the advance poll.