A record number of potential voters at the coming election bodes well for the Progressive Labour Party.

That's the view of the party's campaign chairman Mr. Terry Lister.

He said the PLP had embarked on a drive to get young people to register as voters.

"We want to impress on them that every vote counts,'' he added.

But Mr. Joe Gibbons, the United Bermuda Party's executive officer, said the rise in registered voters had come as no surprise.

And he disputed whether the increase would benefit the PLP.

"I think Mr. Lister is quite wide of the mark.'' Just-released figures show there are 34,506 people on the Parliamentary register -- an increase of about 330 on 1992, which was a record year.

Said Mr. Lister: "We are looking at a very high poll for the coming election.

"The PLP are extremely excited about this. We believe this is an indication that people are interested in the election, and in their own futures.

"We expect there will be a high voter turn-out.'' Mr. Lister put down the increase in registration to the decision to lower the voting age from 21 to 18.

He thought a high turn-out at the polls would benefit the PLP.

"We have always believed the greater the registration the greater our chances at being successful in various districts.'' In Hamilton Parish East, for instance, the number of eligible voters had risen from 1,171 at the last election to 1,538 -- a rise of 367, or over 30 percent.

There had been a 15 or 16 percent increase in Warwick East, from 2,084 to 2,455, said Mr. Lister.

And in St. George's South the increase was from 1,257 to 1,448.

"It has made a real difference to have 18-year-old voters coming on stream,'' said Mr. Lister.

He added: "Our intent has been to ensure these young people have an appreciation of politics.

"And, hopefully, they will cast their votes for the PLP.'' Mr. Lister said young people had to realise the importance of just one vote.

This was borne out by the 1980 defeat by seven votes of current Health Minister the Hon. Quinton at the hands of the PLP's Mr. Eugene Blakeney.

Mr. Gibbons did not believe first-time voters would automatically align themselves with the PLP.

"People are going to elect the political party they believe is the best for their future, and will not just go by its past record.

"Voters vote for the candidate they trust and the party which is best able to represent them and look after their interests.

"That is primarily why the United Bermuda Party has always done so well.'' Mr. Gibbons said he believed the electorate was educated and responsible.

And there was no doubt, he added, the UBP was the best party to represent them.