United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate Alex Browne was formally nominated Wednesday to contest the St. Philip’s North by-election, joining Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) candidate Randy Baltimore in the March 16 race.

Nomination Day proceedings were held at the Willikies Primary School, where both candidates arrived at the centre surrounded by supporters in strong shows of party backing.

Browne filed his nomination papers before being declared duly nominated under Electoral Commission guidelines.

Baltimore, a former senior customs officer selected by the ABLP as successor to longtime parliamentary representative Sir Robin Yearwood, was also officially nominated earlier in the day.

Candidates were required to submit nomination papers signed by a proposer, a seconder and eight additional electors registered in the constituency, along with a $500 EC deposit.

The by-election was triggered following Yearwood’s retirement after 50 consecutive years in Parliament.

Polling Day is set for March 16.