Wow: Upset in the Jamaican elections

[malaise]

The JLP beats the PNP led by Portia Simpson-Miller 31-29. Portia says she is not conceding until the recount and constitutional issues are resolved.

Damn that was close.

Add.

[bbgrunt]

1. a little context would be most helpful for those of us who don't have this on our radar.

[Warpy]

2. Which party is which?

Please give us dunderheads some background.

Thanks in advance.

[malaise]

3. I actually thouht of posting something today

about the election.
The JLP was Seaga's party now led by Bruce Golding and the PNP was Manley's party now led by Portia. Neither party has any philosophy since they bought into the Washington consensus, although the PNP is way more liberal and pro regionalism.

Officially the count is 31JLP and 29 PNP but the JLP declared victory and the incumbent Prime Minister just spoke and said she is not conceding until results are official and votes are recounted tomorrow.

Additionally two JLP candidates have dual citizenship (Jamaican and US) and that violates our constitution.

We vote by constituency - 60 seats. The pro business newspapers and their fraudulent pollsters predicted a massive JLP victory but we always expected this to be very close.
Edit.

[bbgrunt]

4. thanks for the added info. Good luck with the recount.

[Warpy]

5. Thank you!