Jamaican general election set for Dec 29

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that Jamaicans will elect a new government on December 29. Nominations of candidates will take place on December 12.

Holness, 39 and Jamaica’s youngest prime minister ever, was appointed by Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) lawmakers to succeed Bruce Golding when he decided to step down after four years in office amid mounting criticism over economic issues and his handling of a politically charged U.S. request for the extradition of a notorious Jamaican gang leader – Chris “Dudus” Coke.

Buffeted by the global economic crisis, Jamaica turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2010 for an US$1.27 billion economic lifeline. Future economic growth faces many challenges including endemic crime and corruption, and widespread unemployment and underemployment.

Holness, who served as education minister before his appointment as premier, was required by the Jamaican Constitution to hold elections in 2012 and he could now become the shortest serving leader in the nation’s history.

What remains unclear is how most voters in this heavily Christian nation will react to general elections coming so close to Christmas Day.

Holness’ move comes as he navigates his government’s first major controversy, with anti-corruption agencies investigating a troubled government program and agency for alleged mismanagement of a stalled US$400 million roadwork program financed by China.

The opposition Portia Simpson-Miller, who served briefly as Jamaica’s first female prime minister from March 2006 to September 2007.