Jamaicans began to vote for a new parliament on Monday as the Caribbean island country was griped by hurricanes and violence, according to reports from Kingston.
People began casting their ballots in polling stations in the capital of Kingston. Some 1.3 million Jamaicans eligible for vote out of a population of 2.8 million.
The vote, originally planned for Aug. 27, was postponed as Hurricane Dean passed the island, but more heavy rains from Hurricane Felix are expected by weather forecasters.
The vote, pitting the ruling People's National Party (PNP) against the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), will elect a 60-member parliament for a five-year term.
If elected, the PNP, led by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, will enter its fifth consecutive term.
However, recent polls showed the JLP, led by Bruce Golding, is faring better.
Both parties focused their platforms on reviving the economy and curbing crime rates.
The election comes against a backdrop of politically incurred violence, which left seven people dead last weekend.
Source: Xinhua
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