Speaking as the youngest candidate in this, her first election joust, Karen McHugh (18), said she became involved primarily to highlight issues and concerns and to improve the lives of people of Enniskillen, Lisbellaw and Tempo.
" I would describe my election campaign as a learning experience. You learn more in a day from speaking to people in this area than learning in a day at school. I must say that in general the response of people in this area to the by-election and also to my candidacy is very positive and supportive.
"People are highly responsive to an attempt to improve facilities for the young in this area, and it is obvious that many people across the county have recognised that there is clearly a deficit in this area.
"People are saying to me that they have not been represented by the parties. My aim is to be a voice for young people in this area who really need more facilities and attention paid to them."
It was 'a great misfortune' there were no under 18 discos locally which meant that the young people of Enniskillen were travelling to places like Templeport and the Glenavon for a night out.
"Not only is this more of a worry for parents", she said, " but it means that less of our local businesses i.e. taxi services, Chinese and fast food restaurants, etc can benefit from these types of events."
Other areas that were a worry to local people were housing, the redistribution of jobs away from Fermanagh and, the current economic situation with rising prices and a decline in industry.
Ms McHugh said many people had complained to her about the condition of local roads., potholes' and traffic congestion around Enniskillen town among them.
"Fermanagh certainly would benefit from increased funding for our roads and infrastructure, and this would be an issue I would intend to work on. So far", she said, "my election team and I have managed to get round a lot of Enniskillen area canvassing, and Tempo.
"Canvassing is actually one of the more pleasurable jobs to be done. Meeting people and learning about what matters to them and, also their reactions to the by-election is a true learning experience.
"People are looking for a fresh face and new ideas, namely an alternative to what is already available to make changes and improve life experiences for the future generations. That is what I hope to achieve through this election."