Jamaica: Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller calls early elections for February 25

Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, has set February 25 as the date for general elections. The vote had to come by December, but Simpson-Miller says her People’s National Party (PNP) is ready now.

She made the announcement at a late Sunday rally in Jamaica’s capital to cheering supporters decked out in orange, the color of her party.

The contest will pit her party against the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) led by former Andrew Holness – a former prime minister. He led Jamaica for just over 2 months before his party lost 2011 elections by a 2-1 margin.

Simpson-Miller is seeking a second consecutive term. She became Jamaica’s first female leader during a year-and-a-half stint in office that ended in 2007.

Source: Associated Press