JLP listed as hot favourite to win

In line with opinion polls that show the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) holding the upper hand heading into the September 3 general election, bookies have listed the Andrew Holness-led party as a hot favourite to get a second term in office.

Gaming company, Island Bet, has given the JLP odds of 1:4 to win the election, while the People's National Party (PNP) has odds of 3:1. The bookies' listing means that for each dollar spent on a bet that the JLP will win, the punter will get 25 cents if that materialises. On the other hand, if the PNP wins, punters who wagered on that possibility will get $3 for each $1 placed.

Historical data

Adam Epstein, chief executive officer at Island Bets, said that the odds are calculated using variables such as historical data of election results, as well current data such as opinion polls.

"Thus far we have seen a great number of bets on the election and anticipate the number of bets to increase closer to election day," Epstein said.

Phillip Paulwell, co-campaign director for the PNP, is unperturbed by the odds. "We are confident of victory because of our own polling and our own soundings, and we intend to win these elections seat by seat," he said. The JLP won 32 of the 63 seats in the House of Representatives in the last election, delivering a shocking one-seat win over the PNP, which won 31 seats. Despite opinion polls showing the PNP trailing, and its president, Dr Peter Phillips, miles behind JLP leader Holness, Paulwell is convinced that victory can be achieved.

"We have better candidates and that's how we intend to go about defeating the Jamaica Labour Party and forming the next government," he said.

A total of 139 candidates were yesterday nominated to contest the September 3 general election. Both the PNP and JLP nominated a full slate of 63 candidates each, while 13 independent candidates were nominated across 11 constituencies. There are 105 males and 34 females.