Jamaica to hold general election on Aug. 27

KINGSTON, July 9 (Reuters) Jamaicans will vote for a new government on Aug. 27, the island's prime minister said.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced the election date before thousands of supporters at a rally in the capital late today.

She also said candidates would be picked on August 7, one day after the verdant and mountainous Caribbean island celebrates its 44th anniversary of independence from Britain.

The ruling People's National Party will be seeking a fifth consecutive five-year term in office and will go up against the Jamaica Labour Party, which has not won power since 1983.

Around 1.3 million Jamaicans are registered to vote.

REUTERS SV BD1737