Jamaicans will today go to the polls for the second time in three months, this time in the local government elections, to elect parish councillors to preside over the local authorities.

This follows the September 3 general election, which was won by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Electoral officials say that everything is in place for a smooth running of the election, with polling stations expected to open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m.

Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Professor Errol Miller, gave the assurance recently that the local government polls would be devoid of the difficulties experienced during the September 3 general election.

About 11,000 persons whose names were on the election-day workers' list for the general election have subsequently been transferred to the civilian list and therefore should be able exercise their franchise today.

Of the 13 parish councils, the JLP won all except Westmoreland in the 2003 election before it lost Portland to the People's National Party (PNP), when Benny White crossed the floor. The PNP also won the Portmore municipality.