Woman leader elected in Jamaica

This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from the BBC News article "Jamaica to get first woman leader". Silver Chips Online posts this news summary to provide readers with a forum for discussion.

     Portia Simpson Miller, 60, was elected president of the People's National Party in Jamaica, on Feb. 26.
     Miller will automatically become prime minister as soon as the incumbent, PJ Patterson, ends his term in the next few weeks. Patterson has held the post of prime minister for 14 years.
     As a current local government minister, Miller beat the national security minister, Peter Phillips, 1,775 votes to 1,538. Phillips was considered most likely to win the election, but the 4,000 cases of homicide occurring after he took the post put his ways of tackling violence in question, according to BBC News.
     Miller has been gaining popularity in Jamaican politics since 1970's. Still, even with her experience in politics, some argue that Miller does not have the skills needed to run the country.
     After being announced the winner of the election, Miller told a crowd in Kingston, Jamaica's capital, that she is going to do her best in leading her country and people to a better future. "I accept your mandate…and pledge to honor my commitment to serve you all," she said, according to BBC News.