Opposition leads close Jamaica election

By Jim Loney

KINGSTON (Reuters) - Jamaica's opposition Labour Party was poised to end the ruling party's 18-year reign on Tuesday as a recount of votes widened its slim election lead to 32 out of 60 seats in parliament.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who had said the results of Monday's election were too close to call and refused to concede, issued a statement saying her People's National Party, which had won four straight elections, accepted the preliminary results.

Elections director Danville Walker said a recount had boosted the JLP total, giving an additional seat to the party since a preliminary tally.

"As of now, the seat count is 32-28," Walker said, adding that the official results could take until Thursday night.

Election workers across Jamaica were recounting ballots after Monday's close election, in which three constituencies were decided by fewer than 100 votes.

JLP leader Bruce Golding appeared to take a step closer to replacing Jamaica's first female prime minister with Simpson Miller's statement, which was interpreted by some local media as the awaited concession.

"The PNP accepts the announced preliminary results, while reserving all legal rights under the Jamaican constitution and our electoral laws," her statement said.

Simpson Miller, 61, who sought her first election mandate since replacing retiring P.J. Patterson last year, had complained on election night that the vote was marred by irregularities and there could still be legal challenges.