Jamaicans head to polls for election as ruling party faces corruption concerns

"It is going to be a very close election, he said. While the JLP is leaning on their track record of reducing crime and debt and growing the economy, the PNP has pitched itself as a party that will restore trust in leadership to rid the country of corruption and focus on critical public services such as infrastructure, water supply and hospital facilities."

"In the closing weeks of the campaign, however, the opposition put the spotlight on concerns over alleged corruption involving the prime minister, Andrew Holness. Last year, the country's anti-corruption body, the Integrity Commission, issued a report raising concerns about Holness's income and assets declarations and recommended further investigation by the Financial Investigations Division, a specialized unit within the Ministry of Finance. The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing, gaining permission from the supreme court to challenge the report, which he branded unlawful and unfair."

Jamaicans head to the polls for a closely fought general election clouded by an investigation into potential corruption in the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). A local poll put the opposition People's National Party (PNP) 3.1% ahead, though analysts warned the margin is barely larger than the margin of error. The JLP highlights crime reduction, debt cuts and economic growth. The PNP emphasizes restoring trust, tackling corruption and improving infrastructure, water supply and hospitals. The Integrity Commission raised concerns about Prime Minister Andrew Holness's income and assets declarations and recommended further investigation; Holness denies wrongdoing and is challenging the report in court. The World Bank noted significant public debt reduction and forecasts modest economic growth.

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