By Horace Helps

KINGSTON, Sept 5 (Reuters) - The opposition Jamaica Labour Party gained another seat in parliament on Wednesday in ongoing recounts of Monday's election which ended the 18-year reign of the ruling People's National Party.

Elections officials said the JLP had won 33 seats in Jamaica's 60-seat parliament compared to 27 for the PNP, which had been seeking a record fifth consecutive term.

Election workers across Jamaica have been recounting ballots for two days after the preliminary election-night tally gave the JLP a narrow 31-29 win. The final count was expected on Thursday.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica's first female leader, refused to concede defeat on election night but a day later issued a statement saying she accepted the preliminary results while reserving the right to launch legal challenges. It was interpreted by local media as a concession.

The JLP total rose to 33 in a recount that gave it the Southeast St. Mary seat by 34 votes, elections officials said. The seat had been awarded to the PNP on election night by 31 votes.

The recounts turned another seat over to the JLP on Tuesday.

Veteran politician Bruce Golding, who replaced longtime JLP leader Edward Seaga in 2002 and took the JLP to its first win since 1983, has not spoken publicly since election night. Campaign officials said he was awaiting the final results.

Turnout was about 60 percent, considered low for the Caribbean island nation of 2.8 million. Analysts put the blame in part on Hurricane Dean, which walloped Jamaica on Aug. 19, killing five people, destroying homes and devastating the banana crop.

Some homes were still without water and power.

Golding has called for a more independent central bank, reduction of Jamaica's huge national debt and budget deficit and creation of an offshore financial industry as well as universal access to health care.

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