Jamaicans vote in general polls amid austerity measures

The people of Jamaica cast their vote in a closely contested general election after a campaign dominated by economic issues in the heavily indebted nation. Incumbent Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, 70, is being challenged by the Jamaica Labour Party under Andrew Holness, 43, which is promising tax cuts and new jobs. Austerity measures introduced […]

The people of Jamaica cast their vote in a closely contested general election after a campaign dominated by economic issues in the heavily indebted nation.
Incumbent Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, 70, is being challenged by the Jamaica Labour Party under Andrew Holness, 43, which is promising tax cuts and new jobs.
Austerity measures introduced by Ms Simpson Miller have led to growth. Inflation fell to a 48-year low during her time in office. Last year GDP grew by 1.3%, according to World Bank figures.
Portia Simpson Miller became Jamaica’s first female head of government when she took over from PJ Patterson in 2006.
Andrew Holness has also been prime minister before, taking over from Mr Golding in 2011. He served for two months before being defeated by Ms Miller Simpson in the December 2011 election
Sixty-three parliamentary seats are up for election. The party that wins a majority of those seats will form the government for a five-year term.
There are 1.8 million registered voters.