People’s National Party (PNP) President Portia Simpson Miller tonight conceded defeat in the general election to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

With recounts expected to finish on Thursday, and five marginal seats under especial scrutiny, the JLP has a 32-28 majority.

However in a statement issued this evening Mrs. Simpson Miller said that recounts and the Party’s intent to pursue allegations of dual citizenship against JLP candidates, could change the outcome.

“The People’s National Party accepts the announced preliminary results, while reserving all legal rights under the Jamaican constitution and our electoral laws.”

Speaking from the PNP’s Old Hope Road, St. Andrew headquarters last night, she had refused to concede defeat and alleged that the JLP had broken electoral rules during the final day of campaigning and on polling day yesterday.

Jamaica witnessed the closest election race in its history yesterday.

The eight-week long campaign resulted in a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) win of 31 seats to 29 seats win over the People’s National Party (PNP), making Bruce Golding, Jamaica’s eighth Prime Minister.

However, it was not long before the nation was left wondering what the future of Jamaica held, when Prime Minister and PNP President Portia Simpson Miller did not concede victory to the JLP.

In her address to the nation from the PNP party headquarters Prime Minister Simpson Miller announced that the PNP would await the official count today, as the results were ‘too close to call’.

She also revealed that the PNP were concerned by what appeared to be a number of breaches of the electoral rules.

What do you say on this matter? Comment below …

JLP 26:25 PNP

Click here and follow the count with The Gleaner.

With 33 seats called - there is a total of 60 up for grabs - the PNP now has a five-seat advantage.

With the race proving as hot as expected: a bar near to The Gleaner building on North Street, downtown Kingston is reportedly also showing the affects.

Red Stripe Beer, served in a red bottle and dubbed ‘PNP beer’ for its closeness to that party’s preferred orange is only available hot. Meanwhile the ‘JLP Heineken’, which is served in a green bottle, also like that party’s colour, has similarly lost its cool.

Guiness, which is served in a politically-neutral black bottle, remains cool.

And then this happened to Horace Dalley, incumbent Member of Parliament for North Clarendon since 1989 …

Candidates

Total Votes cast: 11951
Voter Turnout: 65.86 %

By now you should really be following the numbers at our online Election Centre or via its accompanying maps for Jamaica and Kingston and St. Andrew.

And no surprise here … Karl Samuda (JLP) has been returned in North Central St. Andrew:

Candidates

Total Votes cast: 9580
Voter Turnout: 58.84 %

Derrick Smith Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) for the North West St. Andrew constituency has made a little history being the first candidate to be elected this election.

Mr. Smith beat Jermaine Martin of the People’s National Party (PNP) by 5786 (59.7 per cent) votes to 3906 (40.3 per cent).

A total of 9,692 votes were cast, representing a turnout of 57.69 per cent.

Omar Davies has just been returned as PNP Member of Parliament for South St. Andrew, followed by Party colleague Ronnie Thwaites in Central Kingston.

Keep following results online with our Election Centre:

Click here

With the count underway follow the results as they come in polling station by polling station.

Click here for the Election Centre.