Over a dozen potential election candidates for the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) were vetted by the party's candidate selection committee Thursday night.

It is understood that most, if not all, of the party's 36 new branches have nominated candidates who have to go through three more stages before being finally approved.

Yesterday Transport Minister Ewart Brown said that his candidacy was approved by the committee and he plans to be running to represent Warwick South Central, or constituency 26,

Backbenchers Dale Butler, Ashfield DeVent and Ministers Neletha Butterfield and Randolph Horton were among the estimated 16 people who were screened by the committee.

I was delighted,” Dr. Brown said. “I don't take anything for granted.”

Party spokesman Walter Roban would not confirm or deny that the meeting even took place saying it was an internal matter.

Nor would he say whether all the branches had sent in their nominations.

“We have all of our candidates ready for the election and we will put them to the public at an appropriate time,” he said.

“We have as many candidates as are necessary at this time. The process of deciding who we want to run is done. We have ample people to run for the general election.