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![]() Friday, December 19, 1997 Published at 00:33 GMT ![]() ![]() ![]() World ![]() One dead in Jamaica election violence ![]() There had been hopes for a peaceful polling day
One person has been killed and four injured in shootings during the general election in Jamaica.
Authorities said violence was sporadic in comparison to past Jamaican election campaigns, marred by shootings and acts of intimidation at polling places.
During the 1980 election, some 800 people were killed.
The late arrival of ballots led electoral officials to delay voting in many areas. Some people also had trouble finding their names on voters' lists or determining where they were supposed to vote.
The main issue during the campaign was the island's poor economic state, high unemployment and education. The vote is being monitored by a 60-member team of international observers, including former US President Jimmy Carter, world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield and the retired chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell.
Mr Patterson, and his main rival, Edward Seaga, earlier issued a joint appeal that violence should not spoil the election, but the BBC Correspondent in Jamaica says the hostility and mutual dislike between Mr Patterson and Mr Seaga is strong.
Recent elections have been plagued by violence
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.
The economy and crime are key issues
Mr Patterson is widely expected to secure the People's National Party a record third successive term in office and a second full term as premier for himself.
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