Jamaicans head to polls amid coronavirus resurgence

Jamaica's ruling party looks set to retain power by a strong margin in a general election on Thursday thanks to its steady stewardship of the economy and despite a recent resurgence of the country's coronavirus outbreak.

Polls show Prime Minister Andrew Holness's center-right Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) some 12 to 19 percentage points ahead of the center- left People's National Party (PNP). Holness likely called the election six months before it was constitutionally mandated to capitalize on electorate's satisfaction with his work before Jamaica further feels the impact of recession due to COVID-19, analysts say.

He credits his administration's tax cuts and other reforms with bringing down unemployment to an all-time low and sharply reducing poverty. He also highlights the construction of affordable housing and new roads. Analysts say the previous PNP-led government's implementation of

IMF-mandated austerity measures, which reduced debt and inflation, also paved the path toward growth.

But the pandemic has sent Jamaica, like the rest of the heavily tourismreliant Caribbean, reeling. The Bank of Jamaica last week predicted the economy will contract 7% to 10% this fiscal year. Under a slogan of "Build Back Stronger," the JLP manifesto outlines a 10-point plan, including a $98 million package of loans, grants and support for agriculture and small business, as well as social reforms like unemployment insurance.

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