The Opposition's candidate for the Pembroke East Central by-election came out swinging yesterday over Premier Jennifer Smith's assertion that he was in the wrong constituency when he was announced.

"Her mistake is indicative of the fact that there needs to be a complete educational process," said Sen. Leonard Santucci. "If the Premier can make such a mistake, where does that leave the electorate?"

But party spokesman Walter Roban said constituents of the area had received the impression from reports in the media that Sen. Santucci was in Pembroke East and had contacted the party and their Parliamentarians.

The Premier had briefed the Press Wednesday before setting out on a walkabout to encourage people to register to vote.

Asked to respond to Sen. Santucci's criticisms when his candidacy was announced, the Premier told ZBM that she hoped he had been canvassing in Pembroke East Central because he had been standing "strongly" in Pembroke East.

In fact, Sen. Santucci was standing on a grassy hillock on Marsh Folly Road which divides the two constituencies and overlooks much of Pembroke East Central.

"There is confusion in that general vicinity with reference to what constituency they reside in," said Sen. Santucci yesterday.

And he noted that half of Pembroke East Central will no longer be a part of the constituency once redistricting comes into effect.

"The Premier's mistake sheds light on the United Bermuda Party's (UBP) concerns with reference to the Report of the Constituency Boundaries Commission," he said.

The UBP has argued for a wholesale re-registration of voters once the electoral system is changed from the current dual seat arrangements to single seats.

The party says a clean slate is needed to avoid confusion because often people do not give their correct addresses and do not inform the Parliamentary Registration office when they move.

But Government has said that re-registration will not be necessary and that the Parliamentary Registrar will make the necessary changes in the voters list and inform every household of their new constituency and polling place. Further the Parliamentary Registration office's web-site will be updated to allow people to find out their new constituency by typing in their address.

Sen. Santucci denied challenging the integrity of MPs in the area when he made his candidacy statement.

"There was no intent... I was stating what people expect me to bring to the table which is integrity," he said. "We will run on the issues but a major issue is preparedness to educate the people on the constituencies," he said. "It has become a major issue based on the Premier's shortcomings. She was loud, strong but wrong."

Party spokesman Walter Roban said the Premier's comments were based on concerns expressed by constituents.

"We are more concerned about the issues as they relate to Pembroke East Central and that is what we are going to focus on. Based on what was reported in the media, the constituents expressed concern to the party and Members of Parliament that there was activity going on in Pembroke East rather than Pembroke East Central," he said.

"I'm sure that voters in Pembroke East know where their area is and who they should vote for. And that has been the case for the past 30 years. Need I say more ?"

The poll will be held November 26.