KINGSTON, Jamaica -- First-time voter Michelle Ann Letman has finally decided how she plans to vote in Thursday’s election — for change.

Letman said she has not been impressed with Andrew Holness, Jamaica’s youngest-ever prime minister, who is seeking to lead his Jamaica Labour Party to a second term in government.

“The Andrew Holness-led JLP will be no different from the Bruce Golding-led administration,’’ Letman said, referring to the former prime minister. “I don’t believe that Andrew has the competence or experience to lead this country.”

Letman’s sentiments underscore the tough job 39-year-old Holness faces in convincing Jamaicans to side with him two months after succeeding Golding.

The winner of the elections will lead Jamaica into its much-anticipated 50 years of independence celebrations next year but will have to pursue tough economic measures, such as tax and pension reforms as well as modernizing the country’s oversized, inefficient public service.

The opposition People’s National Party (PNP), led by Portia Simpson Miller, is determined to make the JLP Jamaica’s fist one-term government. She is having some success: polls show that the election is too close to call.

“The contest will be close, as both parties have superb political machines, veteran campaign operatives, and fiercely loyal supporters,’’ said Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, a political science professor at York College of The City University of New York, an expert on Caribbean politics.

Letman and many other Jamaicans have lamented the country’s struggling economy under the JLP, highlighted by an unemployment rate that has climbed from 9.9 percent in 2007 to 12.9 percent last year. But JLP supporters counter that the economy barely grew during the PNP’s 18 years in office before they were replaced four years ago. Holness also accuse PNP leaders of not making tough and bold decisions in office, causing the economy to stagnate.

“There is no question, the economy is in a bad state,” said Ryan Amos, 29, who intends to vote for the JLP. “It (PNP) has failed to display its ability to lead effectively.”

He also argues that Holness’ JLP needs more than four years to prove that it can govern the country.

“Portia is a good woman and I believe she truly cares for the poor, but I don’t see the PNP standing out like an organization ready to take charge,” Amos said.

Both political parties have been criss-crossing the island in noisy motorcades. In most communities, utility poles have been adorned with the PNP’s orange flags or the JLP’s green in a display of party strength.

Just over 1.6 million people are registered to vote. The elections will be contested in 63 constituencies, up from 60 in 2007. The party that wins the most seats gets to form the next government. In the 2007 elections, the JLP won 32 seats to the PNP’s 28.

Director of Elections Orrette Fisher has said everything is in place for the vote and Police Commissioner Owen Ellington has suspended all leave. The Jamaica Defence Force has also called out reserves. Two people have been reported killed in election-related violence.

The PNP, which describes itself as a democratic socialist party, has promised to renegotiate the country’s agreements with the International Monetary Fund to allow room for economic growth. It has also promised to implement an emergency employment program to address the job losses. It has indicated it would remove consumption tax from electricity bills and introduce competition to the electricity market in a bid to drive down prices.