Jamaicans Vote Today

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (2nd L) of the PNP Party, with U.S. President Barack Obama, is seeking a second term in office.

By NAN Contributor

News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thurs. Feb. 25, 2016: Over 1.8 million voters are set to go to the polls today in Jamaica to decide if the Peoples National Party (PNP) and Prime Minister Portia “Mama P” Simpson-Miller, the only woman to occupy the post in Jamaica,  should be given another term.

The election comes as a privately commissioned poll conducted by Trinidad- based political scientist Derek Ramsamooj between nomination day (February 9th) and the past weekend, found that  the General Election today will come down to 14 marginal seat. Many voters in those areas, according to Ramsamooj, are leaning towards the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

It also comes amid a campaign marked by verbal attacks from the opposition Jamaica Labor Party and gang violence that left at least three dead.

Simpson-Miller, 70, is only the third woman to assume power in a Caribbean nation, preceded only by Mary Eugenia Charles in Dominica (1980-1995) and Janet Jagan in Guyana (1997-1999).

Some 152 candidates are running for the 65 seats of the House of Representatives. The PNP controlled 42 seats in the last government while the JLP had 21.

Police and soldiers voted Monday ahead of today’s elections that are being observed by the Organization of American States (OAS) Electoral Observation Mission, CARICOM the local Citizens Actions for Free and Fair Elections.