Early Jamaican Poll Results Favour Opposition

Jamaica's main opposition has won a narrow election victory, preliminary results indicated today.

But the country's first female prime minister said the race was too close to call, and her People's National party (PNP) would not be conceding victory.

The opposition Jamaica Labour party (JLP) won 31 of the 60 seats in the house of representatives in yesterday's poll, enough to oust the prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller, and end her party's near-20-year hold on power.

The director of elections, Danville Walker, said it would take about two days to complete the final count.

"We don't usually have too many things change during the final count, but we must remember that this is a preliminary count," Mr Walker said on Television Jamaica.

But Mrs Simpson Miller said there were a number of races that were so close they could switch in a recount, and she was concerned election rules may have been violated.

"We are conceding no victory to the Jamaica Labour party," she said.

Despite her announcement, jubilant JLP supporters drove through the streets of the capital, Kingston, in convoys, honking their horns as passengers leaned out the windows.

Hundreds of supporters cheered and waved green flags at party headquarters as Mr Golding took the stage to the strains of the Bob Marley song Coming in from the Cold.

Mr Golding warned that the "tenuous" and narrow victory could make governing a challenge. But he noted that the PNP had won three seats by fewer than 100 votes, and his side's margin could widen.

"However perplexing some may find the results, the fact is that the people have spoken, and we of the Jamaica Labour party accept and respect the decision of the people," he said.

Few policy or ideological differences divide the parties but, as the challenger, Mr Golding promised bold attempts to kickstart the economy, create jobs and fight corruption.

About 1.3 million people were eligible to vote for the Caribbean island's 60-member parliament.

To shore up its popularity, the ruling party appointed Mrs Simpson Miller, 61, its leader 18 months ago, calculating that her humble origins and common touch would secure a fifth consecutive term.

The prime minister, widely known as Sista P, retains widespread affection. But confidence has been eroded by party scandals, violent crime and sluggish growth. When Hurricane Dean swept through coastal regions last month she was accused of hiding in a bunker.

At least 17 people were reportedly killed in political violence in the run-up to the election. Yesterday seemed relatively calm, with soldiers and police guarding polling stations to prevent any repeat of the shootings of previous election days.