A date has been set.

The highly anticipated North Abaco by-election will take place on October 15, just two days before the House of Assembly resumes from its traditional summer recess.

The government announced yesterday that the nomination process for all candidates will take place on September 26.

Governor General, Sir Arthur Foulkes has already been advised to issue a writ of election.

On the night of the May 7 General Election former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who had represented the North Abaco constituency for 35 consecutive years, announced that he would be stepping down.

His announcement came just minutes after his party, the Free National Movement (FNM), conceded defeat at the polls.

The FNM only held on to eight seats compared to the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) 29 seats.

Mr. Ingraham tendered his resignation on July 19.

However, it did not take effect until August 31.

Mr. Ingraham postponed his retirement by a month to allow the FNM’s candidate Greg Gomez to meet residency requirements.

Mr. Gomez had spent some time in the United States and had not been back in The Bahamas for a full year yet.

A native of North Abaco, Mr. Gomez has promised to build on the progress already made on that island.

If elected, Mr. Gomez has promised to promote and enforce government accountability, promote the economy of North Abaco and to foster social and spiritual growth in young Bahamians.

Meantime, the PLP’s Renardo Curry will again try his hands after recently losing to Mr. Ingraham.

A youth leader, Mr. Curry served on North Abaco’s local council

Bahamas Constitutional Party (BCP) Servant Leader Ali McIntosh has also entered the race after losing to PLP MP Glenys Hanna-Martin in the Englerston constituency.

Both the PLP and FNM have been in North Abaco campaigning heavily since Mr. Ingraham announced that he was stepping down.