No date has been set for the by-election for late Opposition Leader Frederick Wade's seat, although it has to be held within the next 60 days.

Acting Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith said yesterday a PLP candidate had not yet been selected and that process was unlikely to get underway until after a leader was confirmed.

She added there would probably be a lot of interest in what is a rock-solid PLP seat -- but declined to mention possible candidates.

She said Mr. Wade and she had recently discussed a successor in his seat "with a view to the long-term future''.

Ms. Smith said: "We will talk to branch members and probably look over the list of candidates and find out if anyone has expressed an interest.'' Among those who could be put forward for the seat are current Senators Terry Lister and Neletha Butterfield, although a relatively low-profile constituency insider cannot be ruled out.

Last night both the ruling United Bermuda Party and the National Liberal Party announced they would be selecting candidates to fight the seat.

Acting Premier Jerome Dill said it would be premature to speculate on who might fight the seat for the UBP.

The NLP lost its only seat in the House of Assembly at the last General Election.

And party chairman Charles Jeffers said the party would definitely be putting up a candidate in Devonshire North -- and did not rule himself out as a prospective candidate.

He said: "We have two or three people in mind. We will be having a meeting next Tuesday. We will be deliberating and possibly making a decision at that point on who will contest the by-election.'' He added: "As for me, I'm not saying I will and I'm not saying I won't. But we will be leaving it to the committee to see who would be the best person to contest it.

"It's very important for us to gauge our support before a general election situation and we must take advantage of the opportunity.'' Former Pembroke East MP Austin Thomas contested the seat for the NLP in the last general election, gaining 212 votes. Former Opposition Leader Lois Browne Evans topped the poll with 905 votes, Mr. Wade had 892 and the UBP's Dr. James King and Charles Marshall collected 344 and 343 votes respectively.

Parliamentary Registrar Marlene Christopher could not be reached for comment on when a date will be set for the by-election.