Well, today is the big day!
Jamaicans will know in a few hours, whether or not we'll have a change of government.
The two major parties - the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the opposing People's National Party (PNP) are expecting a win.
(Well, only one will win..and we'll be here to make that announcement!).
We've had a relatively peaceful General Elections this year, thank God.
Unfortunately we've had two (2) deaths from persons' collapsing:
In one case, an elderly farmer (aged 70 years), collapsed when, after voting, realized that he had put his "X" for the wrong party.
(In Jamaica, you put an "X" to the right of the candidate and symbol representing the party you wish to vote for).
With most polling stations closing at 5:00 p.m. and all closing at 6:00 p.m., the Electoral Office of Jamaica started vote-counting at approximately 5:30 p.m. this afternoon.
They have announced that we should know by 9:30 p.m., tonight, who the winning party is.
There were 1.6 million persons registered to vote (aka electors), in this 2011 General Elections.
However voter turnout (the percentage of electors who actually voted), is still not yet known. But it was said to be 44% at 3:00 p.m., this afternoon.
[Low voter turnout is said to favour the incumbent party (in this case, the JLP)].
We will keep you updated re the vote-count by party and major constituencies.
Up-to-the minute coverage of the vote-count by constituency, is available, online, via Nationwide Radio , Television Jamaica and CVM Television.
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Power 106 FM Jamaica, accessed December 29,2011
2) Television Jamaica, accessed December 29,2011
