A clean sweep in two by-elections for the United Bermuda Party seems to be on the cards today.

For Kim Young in Paget East and Michael Dunkley in Devonshire South were set to triumph in a double-header by-election tussle.

Mrs. Young was odds-on favourite to retain former Premier Sir John Swan's seat, while Mr. Dunkley is set to keep the seat vacated by David Saul -- another ex-Premier -- in the hands of the ruling party.

Former Women's Advisory Council chairman Mrs. Young said yesterday: "I hope to win and I hope to make a very nice job of it.

"I think people are very upbeat -- I went around with the Premier for a couple of days and people loved that.

"I just hope that all of the voters come out so we have a good turnout -- a good solid turnout will be good for the UBP and send a message to our new Premier.'' In Devonshire South, Mr. Dunkley, who has been campaigning with sitting MP John Barritt, said: "I am confident about the result and I think we have worked hard.

"The UBP has always had good, effective people in Devonshire South and John Barritt and I should work well together as a team.'' And the Devonshire native said the secret of his success was hitting the doorsteps with the direct and personal touch.

He said: "The key in the campaign is to knock on as many doors as possible and allow people to ask the questions they want to.

"We've covered the majority of the houses and I feel good. We've covered as much as we could.'' The new wave PLP candidate in Paget East -- young professional Craig Walls -- described himself as "optimistic''.

He seems likely to do better this time around than party firebrand Rolfe Commissiong did in the 1994 by-election -- 39 votes and a lost deposit -- which saw Dr. Grant Gibbons triumph.

And for the PLP in Paget East, hanging on to a deposit would be something of a victory in itself.

Mr. Walls -- a financial portfolio manager in a exempted company -- said he had been heartened by the response he had been getting on the doorsteps.

He said: "When I started canvassing, I got a very positive response. There are significant differences between Mr. Commissiong and myself and I think the electorate recognises that as well.'' And he added that support for his campaign cut across race and class lines, with a particularly good response from the middle class.

He said: "What you would probably refer to as the very wealthy are totally sold on the UBP no matter what. It's more the middle class who are willing to take a hard look at what I am saying.'' Danny Farias, the Progressive Labour Party candidate in Devonshire South, dismissed claims by the National Liberal Party candidate, chairman Charles Jeffers, that the PLP could be pushed into third place.

He said: "Mr. Jeffers must be dreaming -- I don't envision anything like that.'' But Mr. Farias refused to get specific on how he might fare in what is regarded as a safe UBP seat.

He added, however, that the Labour landslide in the UK last week could boost his chances.

Mr. Farias said: "We have the Democrats in the US, the Conservatives in Canada got blown away and John Major's Conservatives in Britain got virtually blown away. People are fed up and Bermuda is no exception.'' But Mr. Jeffers was last night still staking his hopes -- and probably the future of his party -- on pulling 25 to 30 percent of the vote -- and hopefully pushing Mr. Farias into second place with a campaign based around the Island's social problems.

Mr. Jeffers said: "I would hope to be no lower than second -- I've been well received and it's been an enjoyable campaign.

"It will be up to the people of Devonshire South whether they will lend me their votes for the by-election so I can earn them in the next General Election.'' UBP maverick Sanders Frith Brown is standing as an Independent Unfettered Bermuda Party (Independent UBP) on a self-appointed mission to shake up what he claims is complacency and lack of accountability at the heart of the party.

His main concerns are the racial divide and the drugs problem on the Island -- which he says are inextricably linked.

Mr. Frith Brown admitted yesterday that Ms Gordon had generated a wave of optimism across the Island.

He added: "If I don't get a substantial amount of support then I have misread the disenchantment with party politics as we know them.'' Paget East voters can go to the polls at the Horticultural Hall in the Botanical Gardens, Paget, and Devonshire South voters can cast their ballots at Christ Church Hall, Middle Road, Devonshire. Polling stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters must be on the register to vote and they must have the correct identification.