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Jamaica set for tight general election Jamaica set for tight general election
(1 day later)
Jamaica holds a general election on 29 December amid signs that the country is set for another close race between the two main parties, as the BBC's Nick Davis finds on a tour around the island.Jamaica holds a general election on 29 December amid signs that the country is set for another close race between the two main parties, as the BBC's Nick Davis finds on a tour around the island.
For many Jamaicans, the cheapest way to get around is by the fixed-route taxis that travel between communities.For many Jamaicans, the cheapest way to get around is by the fixed-route taxis that travel between communities.
As I climb into a car in the central town of Mandeville, the driver tells me it is only half an hour to Christiana.As I climb into a car in the central town of Mandeville, the driver tells me it is only half an hour to Christiana.
But within minutes we are in a two-hour traffic jam as an election convoy snakes its way slowly around this rural part of Jamaica.But within minutes we are in a two-hour traffic jam as an election convoy snakes its way slowly around this rural part of Jamaica.
Supporters of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), dressed in the party's green, hang out of car and minibus windows ringing bells, blowing horns, waving flags and singing along to songs urging people to vote for Labour.Supporters of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), dressed in the party's green, hang out of car and minibus windows ringing bells, blowing horns, waving flags and singing along to songs urging people to vote for Labour.
The opposition People's National Party (PNP) have also mustered their supporters, dressed head to foot in bright orange.The opposition People's National Party (PNP) have also mustered their supporters, dressed head to foot in bright orange.
Both parties' backers have taken to the roads in what has turned out to be a surprisingly close campaign.Both parties' backers have taken to the roads in what has turned out to be a surprisingly close campaign.
Some months back, the JLP looked set to take a drubbing in the election which had to be held by September 2012.Some months back, the JLP looked set to take a drubbing in the election which had to be held by September 2012.
But Prime Minister Bruce Golding, heavily criticised for his handling of a US request to extradite a drug gang leader, stepped aside.But Prime Minister Bruce Golding, heavily criticised for his handling of a US request to extradite a drug gang leader, stepped aside.
That cleared the way for Andrew Holness, 39, to become JLP leader and to be sworn in as Jamaica's ninth, and youngest, prime minister.That cleared the way for Andrew Holness, 39, to become JLP leader and to be sworn in as Jamaica's ninth, and youngest, prime minister.
His popularity has boosted the JLP, and they have caught up with the PNP in the opinion polls.His popularity has boosted the JLP, and they have caught up with the PNP in the opinion polls.
VouchersVouchers
For many voters, the state of the economy is the major issue.For many voters, the state of the economy is the major issue.
Jamaica has one of the worst debt burdens in the world, at 130% of GDP. Unemployment is running at 12.3%.Jamaica has one of the worst debt burdens in the world, at 130% of GDP. Unemployment is running at 12.3%.
Crime is also a key concern. However, since a brief state of emergency was imposed in 2010, murders have been declining, and are down 25% over the past year.Crime is also a key concern. However, since a brief state of emergency was imposed in 2010, murders have been declining, and are down 25% over the past year.
The politically motivated deaths that reached an all-time high in 1980 when more than 800 people lost their lives are a thing of the past.The politically motivated deaths that reached an all-time high in 1980 when more than 800 people lost their lives are a thing of the past.
But if political violence has declined, buying political influence seemingly continues.But if political violence has declined, buying political influence seemingly continues.
Food, phone cards for mobiles and outright offers of cash are among the inducements alleged to have been distributed in some constituencies.Food, phone cards for mobiles and outright offers of cash are among the inducements alleged to have been distributed in some constituencies.
PNP leader Portia Simpson-Miller has spoken out against vote-buying, as has the JLP. PNP leader Portia Simpson Miller has spoken out against vote-buying, as has the JLP.
Dr Herbert Gayle, an anthropologist from the University of the West Indies, conducted a study into vote-buying.Dr Herbert Gayle, an anthropologist from the University of the West Indies, conducted a study into vote-buying.
Among the evidence his team uncovered were vouchers for hardware stores and party T-shirts people were given after being paid to attend rallies.Among the evidence his team uncovered were vouchers for hardware stores and party T-shirts people were given after being paid to attend rallies.
"It may not be directly buying their vote but they're presenting a sea of orange or of green and that can give them a psychological advantage that can make the difference," said Dr Gayle."It may not be directly buying their vote but they're presenting a sea of orange or of green and that can give them a psychological advantage that can make the difference," said Dr Gayle.
But the head of the Electoral Commission, Prof Errol Miller, plays down concerns that voters are being paid to choose one candidate over another.But the head of the Electoral Commission, Prof Errol Miller, plays down concerns that voters are being paid to choose one candidate over another.
Parliament has banned the use of mobile phones and digital and video cameras in polling stations to keep electoral choices a secret.Parliament has banned the use of mobile phones and digital and video cameras in polling stations to keep electoral choices a secret.
There is no way party members can know who voters elect, Prof Miller says.There is no way party members can know who voters elect, Prof Miller says.
"So if people are vote-buying, they are giving money to a voter and nothing can be assured.""So if people are vote-buying, they are giving money to a voter and nothing can be assured."
Head of stateHead of state
The two main parties have broadly similar manifestos, including reaching a new deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), cutting the public sector wage bill and attracting more investment.The two main parties have broadly similar manifestos, including reaching a new deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), cutting the public sector wage bill and attracting more investment.
So with the race to lead the country so tight, swing voters are key.So with the race to lead the country so tight, swing voters are key.
During the final party leaders' debate a week ago, coachloads of supporters watched events on a giant screen erected outside the venue at the University of the West Indies.During the final party leaders' debate a week ago, coachloads of supporters watched events on a giant screen erected outside the venue at the University of the West Indies.
When Mrs Simpson-Miller finished her opening statement, the PNP backers toasted her with glasses of wine and booed when Mr Holness came to speak. When Mrs Simpson Miller finished her opening statement, the PNP backers toasted her with glasses of wine and booed when Mr Holness came to speak.
Inside the TV studio, all was set for a big showdown.Inside the TV studio, all was set for a big showdown.
Mrs Simpson Miller is not viewed as a great debater but with the JLP's 2007 election promise of "jobs, jobs, jobs" unfulfilled, she was expected to launch an aggressive attack on the government.Mrs Simpson Miller is not viewed as a great debater but with the JLP's 2007 election promise of "jobs, jobs, jobs" unfulfilled, she was expected to launch an aggressive attack on the government.
But that never came and there was no knockout moment from Mr Holness either.But that never came and there was no knockout moment from Mr Holness either.
Both agreed that with Jamaica set to mark 50 years of independence from the United Kingdom in 2012, it was time to look at the constitution and the role of the Queen as head of state.Both agreed that with Jamaica set to mark 50 years of independence from the United Kingdom in 2012, it was time to look at the constitution and the role of the Queen as head of state.
Mrs Simpson-Miller said she would revisit the law that bans homosexuality in Jamaica if she were re-elected.Mrs Simpson-Miller said she would revisit the law that bans homosexuality in Jamaica if she were re-elected.
But observers say that undecided voters saw little to sway them one way or another. The political tribalism that was once so ingrained is now in danger of becoming apathy.But observers say that undecided voters saw little to sway them one way or another. The political tribalism that was once so ingrained is now in danger of becoming apathy.
Jamaica saw landslide victories in elections until 2002, when the PNP won by a narrow margin, and in 2007 when the JLP took power. This year is expected to be even closer.Jamaica saw landslide victories in elections until 2002, when the PNP won by a narrow margin, and in 2007 when the JLP took power. This year is expected to be even closer.