Jamaica confirms opposition win

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Jamaica's opposition Labour Party is set to return to power after 18 years after being confirmed the winner of last Monday's general election.

Certified results show that the JLP led by Bruce Golding won 33 seats while the People's National Party (PNP) took 27.

Mr Golding is expected to be sworn in as prime minister next week.

The current PM, Portia Simpson Miller, had earlier said she accepted the outcome, although she suggested her party might challenge some results.

The poll, which was delayed by a week after Hurricane Dean caused widespread damage on the island, was held on 3 September and passed off largely peacefully.

After the preliminary results gave the JLP a narrow two-seat lead, election workers across the country spent three days recounting ballots.

Poverty and crime

The Electoral Office of Jamaica said in a statement on Thursday that the JLP had won 33 seats to 27 for the PNP.

Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica's first woman prime minister, initially refused to concede before announcing on Tuesday that her party would accept the voice of the Jamaican people.

However, she had alleged said the poll had been marred by irregularities such as illegal campaigning and "vote buying".

The two main parties do not differ significantly in ideology. Analysts say voters may have been looking for a change to tackle Jamaica's deep-seated poverty, 9% unemployment and a murder rate that is among the highest in the world.