new MP after the death yesterday of sitting MP Leon (Jimmy) Williams.

Government has the option of calling a by-election, which must be held within two months of the death or resignation of an MP.

But Premier Pamela Gordon could opt to hold off because Parliament is due to be dissolved on November 5.

And that means the vacancy in St. George's North could be held open and the vote to elect Mr. Williams' successor incorporated into a General Election campaign -- which does not have to be called until three months after the end of the sitting Parliament.

Mr. Williams died yesterday morning in Agape House after a long illness.

He had been absent from the House for some months as he battled ill-health.

And he announced less than two weeks ago that he would be unable to fight a General Election due to his illness. Hotel owner Delaey Robinson was named as the PLP's St. George's North candidate, along with Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith.

Ms Gordon last night declined to discuss her plans out of respect for Mr.

Williams.

The Constitution says: "Whenever any person vacates his seat as a member of the House of Assembly for any reason other than a dissolution of the Legislature, an election to fill the vacancy shall be held within two months after the occurence of the vacancy unless the legislature is sooner dissolved or the date on which the Legislature will stand dissolved...is less than four months after the occurence of the vacancy.'' The House of Assembly -- which sat for the first time in the current five year term on November 5, 1993 -- must be dissolved by the same date this year and a General Election date set within three months of that time.

Mr. Robinson -- who would likely have to face golf pro Kim Swan if a by-election was called in advance of a General Election -- said he was ready to fight the seat alone if necessary.

He added: "It's unexpected, but I'm certainly not unprepared -- I certainly don't find the prospect daunting.'' Mr. Swan said any decision on whether to call a by-election or wait was up to Ms Gordon.

He added: "I've been out on the doorsteps already, but this is not my decision.

"I'm a candidate in waiting and one of my aspirations is to go into the House. I will be ready whatever the Premier chooses to do.'' Mr. Williams had served less than five years as an MP after he joined Ms Smith in the House in the 1993 General Election.

Seat may stay unfilled until General Election Ms Smith topped the poll with 33.2 per cent of the poll and first-time candidate Mr. Williams came second with 28.2 percent.

They beat out UBP candidates Phillip Smith and Michael Jones, who notched up 20.1 percent and 18.3 percent of the ballots respectively.

Mr. Williams' death will also force a poll for the Corporation of St.

George's, where he was re-elected as a Common Councillor last year.

Ms Perinchief said that -- unlike the House -- there were no Constitutional rules governing elections.

But she said under the ordinances governing the Corporation, a by-election would probably be held next month.