The National Liberal Party will play a decisive factor in today's Hamilton East by-election -- without even running a candidate.

For the battle for the 240-odd votes notched up by Gilbert Darrell the last time the constituency went to the polls at the 1993 General Election will be a crucial factor.

But the race in Pembroke West is more clear cut, with ex-Government Senate Leader Gary Pitman set to win comfortably against developer Rodney Smith of the Progressive Labour Party.

Mr. Darrell got a total of 241 votes in 1993 -- ten percent of those cast -- at the last test of public opinion in Hamilton East.

Comparisons using 1993 results is difficult because of Bermuda's twin-seat constituencies -- but a substantial number of NLP votes will be up for grabs.

And United Bermuda Party candidate, Bermuda Telephone Company executive Francis Furbert -- third behind ex-PLP MP turned Independent Trevor Woolridge in 1993 with 498 votes (20.7 percent) to 582 votes (24.1 percent) -- will be hoping to ring the changes by capitalising on the NLP no-show.

Rivals eye NLP votes But Progressive Labour Party candidate Derrick Burgess -- who came last of five candidates in Hamilton East in the 1989 General Election -- has also got the NLP bloc in his sights and join the PLP's Renee Webb in the House of Assembly.

He claimed: "I would hope that they will support us -- that's the way they are looking at it. They can see the Government has not played its part, abdicated its responsibility and budgeted wrong.'' The PLP have to win -- and win decisively -- to maintain their chance of forming the next Government.

But the UBP have nothing to lose in a seat previously held by the PLP -- but would be looking to damage the PLP's credibility with a good showing, if not a win.

Mr. Furbert said: "I'm cautiously optimistic -- and I'd just encourage everyone to come out and vote. That's very important and it's democratic.'' He added that he hoped the NLP vote would swing his way by the close of the poll tonight.

Mr. Furbert said: "I've tried to see every voter and listen to every voter's concerns. But I can't really say -- I've taken time and haven't taken anyone for granted. I'm cautiously optimistic about that as well.'' According to Mr. Burgess, voters' concerns range from roads and school road safety, to the cost of medicine for elderly people on fixed pensions.

He also cited housing, employment, upward mobility, Bermudianisation, law and order, youth facilities and education as doorstep issues.

Mr. Furbert said: "We've a mixture of issues down here -- some say roads, some street lights and others drugs. But if you wrap it all up together, it's really about community and family values.'' The seat, with 1,650 eligible voters, is more than 85 percent black, tightknit and regarded as one with a strong religious base. In 1989, it was split between the UBP and NLP, falling to the PLP's Renee Webb and Rev. Woolridge at the last General Election.

Both Mr. Burgess and Mr. Furbert dismissed controversy surrounding the resignation of Rev. Woolridge -- convicted then cleared on appeal of sexually assaulting a woman parishioner -- as irrelevant. Mr. Furbert said: "It's a dead issue -- all I'm dealing with is the party and Francis Furbert. I haven't got involved in that at all.'' Pembroke West is set to remain in the hands of Government after the second by-election in three months.

The 1,821 registered voters will be asked to choose between Mr. Pitman and Mr.

Smith in a by-election caused by the retirement of former Health and Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira.

Mr. Smith -- who stood against the UBP winning candidate Irwin Adderley in November -- picked up 382 votes (36.5 percent) against Mr. Adderley's 618 votes (59.1 percent), while the NLP, not putting a candidate up this time, got only 34 votes.

Polling in both contests will take place between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Trinity Church Hall, Trinity Church Road, Hamilton Parish, and at Admiralty House, Spanish Point, Pembroke.