Jamaicans are voting in a general election which is expected to be the closest contest for years.
Polls have closed in Jamaica in a general election which was expected to be the closest contest for years.
The governing People's National Party (PNP) led by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is seeking its fifth straight term of office.
The governing People's National Party (PNP) led by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is seeking its fifth straight term of office.
However, the latest opinion polls give a slim lead to the opposition Labour Party (JLP) of Bruce Golding.
However, most opinion polls gave a slim lead to the opposition Labour Party (JLP) of Bruce Golding.
Campaigning has been marred by political violence, with at least seven people killed over the weekend.
Campaigning has been marred by political violence, with at least seven people killed over the weekend.
But election authorities say the number of incidents is the lowest it has been for years.
But election authorities say the number of incidents is the lowest it has been for years.
The voting itself was largely peaceful, but in south-east Saint Andrew, a poor area of the capital Kingston, shots were fired at a polling station from a car.
Police have arrested several men and seized the car they were driving.
No one was injured, but frightened staff had to be persuaded to continue their work.
Swift count
The electoral office is promising a swift count. The result, they say, will be declared within four hours of the close of voting.
The parties are fighting for control of the 60-seat parliament, with the governing PNP holding 34 to the JLP's 26.
Opinion polls have predicted a close result, while giving the opposition party a slight edge.
Both parties have said they are confident of winning.
Voting delay
Voting delay
Some 1.3 million Jamaicans are eligible to vote. All 60 seats are up for grabs in the country's House of Representatives.
Some 1.3 million Jamaicans were eligible to vote.
One electoral official said that a few of more than 6,000 polling stations were still closed nearly an hour after the scheduled opening at 1300 GMT, the BBC's Orin Gordon in Kingston says.
One electoral official said that a few of more than 6,000 polling stations were still closed nearly an hour after the scheduled opening at 1300 GMT, the BBC's Orin Gordon in Kingston says.
The official said it was due to technical difficulties and not any political trouble in those areas, our correspondent adds.
The official said it was due to technical difficulties and not any political trouble in those areas, our correspondent adds.
At those polling stations which did open, voters turned out for both main parties.
At those polling stations which did open, voters turned out for both main parties.
"I am voting for the JLP. This country needs a change and we will get that change today," voter Jennifer Somers told Reuters as she prepared to cast her ballot at a polling station near Kingston.
"I am voting for the JLP. This country needs a change and we will get that change today," voter Jennifer Somers told Reuters as she prepared to cast her ballot at a polling station near Kingston.
John Hewitt, another voter at the same polling station, was quoted by the news agency as saying: "The PNP all the way. We need Portia to continue the progress."
John Hewitt, another voter at the same polling station, was quoted by the news agency as saying: "The PNP all the way. We need Portia to continue the progress."
'Best chance'
'Best chance'
Both Ms Simpson Miller and Mr Golding are contesting their first general election as party leaders.
Both Ms Simpson Miller and Mr Golding are contesting their first general election as party leaders.
During the campaign the PNP has argued that it has improved health care and reduced unemployment to below 10%.
During the campaign the PNP has argued that it has improved health care and reduced unemployment to below 10%.
Mr Golding's JLP has complained that Jamaica's unemployment rate of 9% remains too high.
Mr Golding's JLP has complained that Jamaica's unemployment rate of 9% remains too high.
The party has also criticised the government's handling of the economy and the island's high crime rate.
The party has also criticised the government's handling of the economy and the island's high crime rate.
Ms Simpson Miller became prime minister 18 months ago, but her popularity has since been declining steadily, our correspondent says, adding that the JLP now has its best chance for some time of ending its 18-year absence from office.
Ms Simpson Miller became prime minister 18 months ago, but her popularity has since been declining steadily, our correspondent says, adding that the JLP now has its best chance for some time of ending its 18-year absence from office.
The vote had been planned for 27 August but was postponed after Hurricane Dean ravaged the Caribbean island.
The vote had been planned for 27 August but was postponed after Hurricane Dean ravaged the Caribbean island.
Are you in Jamaica? Will you be voting in the general election? How important is this poll for the country? Send us your comments and predictions using the form below.
Are you in Jamaica? Have you voted in the general election? How important is this poll for the country? Send us your comments and predictions using the form below.
