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Zimbabwe forces 'on full alert' Zimbabwe forces 'on full alert'
(about 3 hours later)
Zimbabwe's security forces have been put on full alert amid fears Saturday's election could spark violence similar to that in recent Kenyan polls. Zimbabwe's security forces have been put on full alert ahead of Saturday's general elections, amid opposition fears of poll-rigging.
Candidates are on a final day of campaigning, with the two main rivals to President Robert Mugabe raising fears of widespread vote-rigging. Tanks have been patrolling the streets of the capital, Harare. Armed soldiers have been deployed in other towns.
President Robert Mugabe is facing his strongest challenge since he gained power at independence in 1980, with two other candidates in the running.
Mr Mugabe insists the vote is fair and everyone should abide by the results.Mr Mugabe insists the vote is fair and everyone should abide by the results.
About 1,500 people were killed in violence that followed disputed elections in Kenya in December. 'Dare'
Military presence The chiefs of Zimbabwe's police, army, prison service and intelligence services gathered in Harare to warn that violence would not be tolerated.
The joint chiefs of Zimbabwe's police, army, prison service and intelligence services gathered in Harare to warn that violence would not be tolerated.
We have been warned that if we vote Mugabe out, there will be war Villager in Masvingo province Moment of truthHope, despair for bloggersWe have been warned that if we vote Mugabe out, there will be war Villager in Masvingo province Moment of truthHope, despair for bloggers
Augustine Chihuri, commissioner general of the police, said: "The defence and security forces of Zimbabwe are on full alert from now onwards covering the election period and beyond."Augustine Chihuri, commissioner general of the police, said: "The defence and security forces of Zimbabwe are on full alert from now onwards covering the election period and beyond."
He said they would "thwart all threats to national security".He said they would "thwart all threats to national security".
Mr Chihuri also said candidates would not be allowed to declare victory before official results were announced.Mr Chihuri also said candidates would not be allowed to declare victory before official results were announced.
Reports say tanks and vehicles with water cannon are being deployed in parts of the capital.
Mr Mugabe and wife Grace push for votes in Harare
On Thursday, Mr Mugabe warned opponents not to protest if they lost. "Just dare try it," he said at one of his final rallies.On Thursday, Mr Mugabe warned opponents not to protest if they lost. "Just dare try it," he said at one of his final rallies.
A BBC contributor in Masvingo in south-eastern Zimbabwe says there is an increased military presence and fly-bys by Chinese-made fighter jets. Mr Mugabe and wife Grace push for votes in Harare
A BBC contributor in Masvingo in south-eastern Zimbabwe says there is an increased military presence and fly-pasts by Chinese-made fighter jets.
One 54-year-old villager told him: "We have been warned that if we vote Mugabe out, there will be war."One 54-year-old villager told him: "We have been warned that if we vote Mugabe out, there will be war."
In Masvingo city, one resident said he would not be cowed by intimidation: "We do not mind even if they deploy soldiers at polling stations - it's time for Mugabe to go." Another Masvingo resident said he would not be cowed by intimidation: "We do not mind even if they deploy soldiers at polling stations - it's time for Mugabe to go."
Some 100 soldiers armed with assault rifles are also patrolling in the eastern city of Mutare.Some 100 soldiers armed with assault rifles are also patrolling in the eastern city of Mutare.
Voter lists Ghost voters
Mr Mugabe, 84, has led the country since independence in 1980. In his final campaign rally, Mr Mugabe, 84, repeated his accusation that the opposition were Western puppets.
"This is a vote against the British. The fight is not against the MDC [Movement for Democratic Change]... the MDC is just a puppet, a mouthpiece of the British," he told 6,000 people on the outskirts of Harare, according to Reuters news agency.
OPPOSITION POLL CONCERNS Surplus ballot papers printedTens of thousands of "ghost voters"Police allowed inside polling stationsMore polling stations in rural areasState media biasFood aid only given to Zanu-PF supportersChiefs used to campaign for Zanu-PF Campaign in picturesQ&A: Zimbabwe electionsOPPOSITION POLL CONCERNS Surplus ballot papers printedTens of thousands of "ghost voters"Police allowed inside polling stationsMore polling stations in rural areasState media biasFood aid only given to Zanu-PF supportersChiefs used to campaign for Zanu-PF Campaign in picturesQ&A: Zimbabwe elections
His key rivals for president are Morgan Tsvangirai, the head of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and Simba Makoni, an ex-finance minister and independent candidate. The MDC denies these charges and says it is fighting to save Zimbabwe's economy.
The country has the world's highest inflation rate at more than 100,000% and just one adult in five are believed to have regular jobs.
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni, who is running as an independent candidate, said repairing the economy could take "10 to 15 years".
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Mr Makoni are Mr Mugabe's strongest challengers.
On Thursday they issued a joint statement expressing severe concerns about the poll.On Thursday they issued a joint statement expressing severe concerns about the poll.
They said they had still not received full nationwide voters' lists that could be verified and suspected there were many thousands of "ghost voters". They said they had still not received full nationwide voters' lists that could be verified, and suspected there were many thousands of "ghost voters".
The MDC says that in Hatcliffe, just north of Harare, some 8,000 people had been registered to vote in a small area where there are just 36 houses. The MDC says that in Hatcliffe, just north of Harare, some 8,000 people had been registered to vote in a small area where there are only 36 houses.
HAVE YOUR SAYIt's a country without hope with a dictator who will stop at nothing to remain in power.Barry Verona, Ex pat - now CanadaSend us your comments
The BBC's Southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles, says one major worry is that there may not be enough polling stations in urban areas.The BBC's Southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles, says one major worry is that there may not be enough polling stations in urban areas.
He says there is also concern about equal access to the media.He says there is also concern about equal access to the media.
The government has accused Britain and the US of already having decided that the elections will not be free and fair.The government has accused Britain and the US of already having decided that the elections will not be free and fair.
However, campaigning has been relatively peaceful, with none of the widespread intimidation of opposition activists seen in recent polls. However, campaigning has been relatively peaceful, with none of the widespread intimidation of opposition activists seen in polls in recent years.
Both Mr Makoni and Mr Tsvangirai have been able to hold rallies across the country.Both Mr Makoni and Mr Tsvangirai have been able to hold rallies across the country.
A total of 5.9 million people are eligible to vote in Saturday's joint local, senate, assembly and presidential polls.A total of 5.9 million people are eligible to vote in Saturday's joint local, senate, assembly and presidential polls.
class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYIt's a country without hope with a dictator who will stop at nothing to remain in power.Barry Verona, Ex pat - now Canada class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=1&forumID=4532&edition=1&ttl=20080327175211&#paginator">Send us your comments A candidate must win more than 50% of the presidential vote to avoid a run-off in three weeks' time.
A candidate must win 50% of the presidential vote to avoid a run-off.
The opposition has been campaigning on Zimbabwe's economic crisis - it has the world's highest inflation rate at more than 100,000% and just one adult in five are believed to have regular jobs.
Mr Makoni, who left the government in 2002, said repairing the economy could take "10 to 15 years".
But Mr Mugabe says land and control of economic resources are the main issues.But Mr Mugabe says land and control of economic resources are the main issues.
He blames a Western plot for the economic troubles. He blames the UK and the US want to remove him from power to reverse his seizure of white-owned land.
"The British, the Americans... would rather see our children, the old and the infirm suffer under the weight of their evil sanctions," he said on Thursday.
If you are voting on Saturday send us your experiences by text on +44 7786 20 50 85. If you are voting on Saturday send us your experiences by text on +44 7786 20 50 85.