Voters in Jamaica were heading to the polls on Wednesday in a general election that many believe could be a defining moment for an island shaken by corruption, inequity and economic concerns.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness of the Jamaica Labor Party is seeking a third term and running against Mark Golding, an attorney and longtime leader of the People’s National Party.

The Jamaica Progressive Party and the United Independents’ Congress are also in the running.

In addition, nine independent candidates are registered to contest the election in various constituencies.

Just over 2 million registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots on the island of 2.8 million people, although turnout remains to be seen.

A total of 63 seats are up for grabs in Jamaica’s House of Representatives.

The leader of the party that wins a majority becomes the island’s next prime minister.

The new leader will then appoint 13 of 21 senators to Jamaica’s upper chamber of Parliament, and the opposition will choose eight others.

Despite Jamaica’s vibrant democratic tradition, recent years have seen a decline in poll participation.

Voter turnout in the 2020 general election was roughly 37%, though the vote was held months after the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

On August 29, members of Jamaica’s security forces and election day workers cast their ballots for this year’s election. The electoral office reported a 57% turnout.

AP video shot by: Kirk Wright