Kingston (EFE).- Prime Minister Andrew Holness\u2019s Jamaica Labour Party secured an absolute majority in Parliament on Wednesday, winning the general election and granting him a third consecutive term in office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With 100 percent of the vote counted from 62 of the 63 constituencies, the ruling JLP captured 34 seats, two more than needed for a majority. The main opposition, the People\u2019s National Party led by Mark Golding, won 29 seats, according to Jamaica\u2019s Electoral Commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing supporters, Golding conceded the race, saying, \u201cThis is not an easy speech to make,\u201d and added, \u201cI accept the results and acknowledge the success of our opponents.\u201d He continued, \u201cJamaica\u2019s democracy sometimes gives us bitter disappointments (\u2026) but it is very important that we prioritize democracy above all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite 189 candidates from four political parties and several independents entering the race, it remained a direct contest between the JLP and PNP, as only those two parties secured parliamentary representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Voter turnout stood at 38.8 percent of the roughly 2.1 million registered voters. Polls closed at 5 p.m. local time (22.00 GMT), and Holness’s victory was confirmed at about 11am Jamaica time (04.00 GMT Thursday), though final counting continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The election was monitored by national and international observers, including representatives from Caricom, the Organization of American States, the US Embassy, and the European Union. EFE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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