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| Jamaicans head to polls in closely fought election | Jamaicans head to polls in closely fought election |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Jamaicans are heading to the polls in a general election dominated by concerns over the debt-ridden economy. | Jamaicans are heading to the polls in a general election dominated by concerns over the debt-ridden economy. |
| The race between the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP) was too close to call on the eve of voting. | The race between the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP) was too close to call on the eve of voting. |
| Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in office for just two months and the country's youngest leader, is bidding to secure a second term for his party. | Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in office for just two months and the country's youngest leader, is bidding to secure a second term for his party. |
| PNP leader Portia Simpson Miller was prime minister from 2006 to 2007. | PNP leader Portia Simpson Miller was prime minister from 2006 to 2007. |
| The snap election was called earlier this month by Mr Holness, who succeeded Bruce Golding as JLP leader and prime minister in October. | The snap election was called earlier this month by Mr Holness, who succeeded Bruce Golding as JLP leader and prime minister in October. |
| The JLP and its main rival, the PNP, have been campaigning hard to win over undecided voters. | The JLP and its main rival, the PNP, have been campaigning hard to win over undecided voters. |
| Mr Holness has stressed the JLP's record in reviving an economy left badly managed during the PNP's long years in office. | Mr Holness has stressed the JLP's record in reviving an economy left badly managed during the PNP's long years in office. |
| "Jamaicans are now safer, our economy is stable with a solid foundation for job creation," he said in a last-minute address. | "Jamaicans are now safer, our economy is stable with a solid foundation for job creation," he said in a last-minute address. |
| Debt burden | Debt burden |
| The PNP counters that by saying the JLP is guilty of economic mismanagement and has allowed the country's debt to balloon. | The PNP counters that by saying the JLP is guilty of economic mismanagement and has allowed the country's debt to balloon. |
| "It's not only going to be a victory but a wipeout of the Jamaica Labour Party," said Mrs Simpson Miller, 66, who was the island's first female leader. | "It's not only going to be a victory but a wipeout of the Jamaica Labour Party," said Mrs Simpson Miller, 66, who was the island's first female leader. |
| Whoever wins Thursday's vote will face deep problems with debt running at approximately 130% of GDP and unemployment at more than 12%. | Whoever wins Thursday's vote will face deep problems with debt running at approximately 130% of GDP and unemployment at more than 12%. |
| The next government may well be forced to adopt austerity measures, including sacking public sector workers, in a bid to tackle the debt, analysts say. | The next government may well be forced to adopt austerity measures, including sacking public sector workers, in a bid to tackle the debt, analysts say. |
| The last election in 2007 was close, and faced with the possibility of a tie, the number of constituencies was increased from 60 to 63. | The last election in 2007 was close, and faced with the possibility of a tie, the number of constituencies was increased from 60 to 63. |
| Polls, open at 07:00 local time (12:00 GMT), are due to close at 17:00 (22:00 GMT). |