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Zimbabwean voters elect president Zimbabwean voters elect president
(10 minutes later)
People in Zimbabwe are voting in an election that will decide whether President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, wins a sixth term in office.People in Zimbabwe are voting in an election that will decide whether President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, wins a sixth term in office.
His challengers are Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC party and ex-finance minister and independent Simba Makoni.His challengers are Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC party and ex-finance minister and independent Simba Makoni.
Correspondents say queues formed early at many polling stations, with voters determined to cast their ballots.Correspondents say queues formed early at many polling stations, with voters determined to cast their ballots.
The MDC fears the poll will be rigged but Mr Mugabe said as he cast his vote in Harare: "We don't rig elections."The MDC fears the poll will be rigged but Mr Mugabe said as he cast his vote in Harare: "We don't rig elections."
I made sure my vote is counted. My vote will contribute towards change to a better Zimbabwe Obvious Zengeya, Hobhouse Latest at a glanceQuiet determination to voteMoment of truth Zimbabwe's security forces are on full alert amid fears of violence.I made sure my vote is counted. My vote will contribute towards change to a better Zimbabwe Obvious Zengeya, Hobhouse Latest at a glanceQuiet determination to voteMoment of truth Zimbabwe's security forces are on full alert amid fears of violence.
BBC Southern African correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Mugabe and Zanu-PF will be relying on support from voters in the countryside, while the MDC is strongest in the cities.BBC Southern African correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Mugabe and Zanu-PF will be relying on support from voters in the countryside, while the MDC is strongest in the cities.
But in recent days it has become increasingly difficult to predict the outcome, he adds.But in recent days it has become increasingly difficult to predict the outcome, he adds.
Polls are scheduled to close at 1900 (1700 GMT) with preliminary results expected by Monday. A candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off in three weeks' time.Polls are scheduled to close at 1900 (1700 GMT) with preliminary results expected by Monday. A candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to avoid a run-off in three weeks' time.
Petrol bombPetrol bomb
Long queues formed at some polling stations before the polls opened at 0500 GMT.Long queues formed at some polling stations before the polls opened at 0500 GMT.
Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on a Western plotOne voter, Sandra, 23, told the BBC by phone from Bulawayo that voting was going efficiently.Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on a Western plotOne voter, Sandra, 23, told the BBC by phone from Bulawayo that voting was going efficiently.
"There is a long queue behind me but it is moving. People around me are quiet and are waiting patiently to cast their vote.""There is a long queue behind me but it is moving. People around me are quiet and are waiting patiently to cast their vote."
Nearly six million people are eligible to vote.Nearly six million people are eligible to vote.
Voters will be confronted with four ballot papers and four separate boxes, for local, senate, assembly and presidential polls.Voters will be confronted with four ballot papers and four separate boxes, for local, senate, assembly and presidential polls.
It was unclear whether they would be colour-coded raising fears of confusion.It was unclear whether they would be colour-coded raising fears of confusion.
Voting is passing off largely peacefully although a petrol bomb exploded overnight at the home of the ruling Zanu-PF party's Mary Nsingo in Bulawayo, injuring the councillor.Voting is passing off largely peacefully although a petrol bomb exploded overnight at the home of the ruling Zanu-PF party's Mary Nsingo in Bulawayo, injuring the councillor.
ZIMBABWE POLLS - KEY FACTS Some 5.9 eligible votersThey elect president, parliament and local government Nearly 9,000 polling stations Polls opened at 0500 GMT and close at 1700 GMTWinner needs more than 50% to avoid presidential run-off Campaign in picturesQ&A: Zimbabwe elections Mr Makoni was one of the early voters and complained his polling station in Harare opened late and ballot casting was slow. However, he said he was confident. ZIMBABWE POLLS - KEY FACTS Some 5.9m eligible votersThey elect president, parliament and local government Nearly 9,000 polling stations Polls opened at 0500 GMT and close at 1700 GMTWinner needs more than 50% to avoid presidential run-off Campaign in picturesQ&A: Zimbabwe elections Mr Makoni was one of the early voters and complained his polling station in Harare opened late and ballot casting was slow. However, he said he was confident.
"I feel good, I voted for the best candidate, I voted for Simba Makoni," he said."I feel good, I voted for the best candidate, I voted for Simba Makoni," he said.
President Mugabe later cast his vote in Harare and, when asked of his chances, said: "This time around, like the last time, very good. I rate them in the same way, that we will succeed and we will conquer."President Mugabe later cast his vote in Harare and, when asked of his chances, said: "This time around, like the last time, very good. I rate them in the same way, that we will succeed and we will conquer."
Morgan Tsvangirai also said he expected to win as he cast his ballot in the capital.Morgan Tsvangirai also said he expected to win as he cast his ballot in the capital.
"Victory is assured in spite of the regime's attempt to subvert the will of the people," he said."Victory is assured in spite of the regime's attempt to subvert the will of the people," he said.
'Puppet''Puppet'
On Friday, President Mugabe wrapped up his campaigning at a rally outside Harare with a fresh broadside against Britain and the MDC.On Friday, President Mugabe wrapped up his campaigning at a rally outside Harare with a fresh broadside against Britain and the MDC.
"This is a vote against the British," he told a crowd of 6,000 supporters, calling the MDC "a puppet, a mouthpiece of the British"."This is a vote against the British," he told a crowd of 6,000 supporters, calling the MDC "a puppet, a mouthpiece of the British".
Morgan Tsvangirai said "victory is assured"Morgan Tsvangirai said "victory is assured"
The MDC says it is fighting to save Zimbabwe's economy.The MDC 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 is believed to have a regular job.The country has the world's highest inflation rate, at more than 100,000%, and just one adult in five is believed to have a regular job.
Mr Mugabe blames a Western plot for ruining the economy.Mr Mugabe blames a Western plot for ruining the economy.
Mr Tsvangirai claims to have made inroads into the president's traditional support base in the countryside.Mr Tsvangirai claims to have made inroads into the president's traditional support base in the countryside.
On Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Makoni jointly expressed severe concerns about the polls.On Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Makoni jointly expressed severe concerns about the polls.
In a statement, they said they had still not received full nationwide voters' lists that could be verified, and suspected there were many thousands of "ghost voters".In a statement, 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 president has said the vote will be fair, warning opponents not to protest if they lose.The president has said the vote will be fair, warning opponents not to protest if they lose.
On Friday, the chiefs of Zimbabwe's police, army, prison service and intelligence services warned that violence after the poll would not be tolerated.On Friday, the chiefs of Zimbabwe's police, army, prison service and intelligence services warned that violence after the poll would not be tolerated.
Augustine Chihuri, commissioner general of the police, said: "The defence and security forces of Zimbabwe are on full alert from now onwards."Augustine Chihuri, commissioner general of the police, said: "The defence and security forces of Zimbabwe are on full alert from now onwards."
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.