Former US President Jimmy Carter has appealed to Jamaicans to make Thursday's general election violence-free. Previous elections have been disrupted by political murders, and Mr Carter - who is running the international election-monitoring mission - said the people of Jamaica had the opportunity to stop violence and rekindle the world's respect for the island's democracy. From Kingston, Malcolm Brabant reports:

The parties have now completed colourful and noisy campaigning in what is seen as a critical test of the country's democracy. The leaders' last pre-election duty will be to publicly affirm principles of non-violence and political tolerance.

In the past, heavily-armed gangs working for the rival political parties have used automatic weapons and machetes to murder, silence or intimidate their opponents. Tension is high but so far this has been the most peaceful pre-election period in recent memory, and Mr Carter said it was vital that the party leaders sent a signal that violence would not be tolerated: "We're here to help democratic Jamaicans take back their streets, deepen their democracy and vote free of fear."

The message of peace will be reinforced by two black role models who have joined President Carter's monitoring team: General Colin Powell, who was America's military leader during the Gulf War, and the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Evander Holyfield. They will visit some of the ghettos, where much of the violence takes place, and encourage Jamaicans to vote.