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Zimbabweans vote in key election Zimbabwean voters elect president
(20 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 opposition party and Simba Makoni, a defector from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF now standing as a independent.His challengers are Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC opposition party and Simba Makoni, a defector from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF now standing as a independent.
On the eve of the election, the president said the being a puppet of the former colonial power, Britain.On the eve of the election, the president said the being a puppet of the former colonial power, Britain.
The MDC says the poll will be rigged - a charge denied by the government.The MDC says the poll will be rigged - a charge denied by the government.
Zimbabwe's security forces are on full alert amid fears of violence.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.
Mugabe's warningMugabe's warning
Polling stations across Zimbabwe opened at 0500 GMT and are due to close at 1700 GMT. Queues of voters had formed at some polling stations before the polls opened at 0500 GMT. Voting is due to end at 1700 GMT.
We do not mind even if they deploy soldiers at polling stations - it's time for Mugabe to go Villager in Masvingo province Contributors report on votingMoment of truthHope, despair for bloggers
Nearly six million people are eligible to vote in the presidential, parliamentary and local elections being held on the same day.Nearly six million people are eligible to vote in the presidential, parliamentary and local elections being held on the same day.
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.
We do not mind even if they deploy soldiers at polling stations - it's time for Mugabe to go Villager in Masvingo province Moment of truthHope, despair for bloggers
"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".
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 one adult in five is believed to have a regular job.
Mr Tsvangirai has a long list of electoral complaints
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and former Finance Minister Simba Makoni are President Mugabe's main challengers.MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and former Finance Minister Simba Makoni are President Mugabe's main challengers.
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.
Mr Tsvangirai has a long list of electoral complaints
Meanwhile, Mr Makoni could attract many in the Zanu-PF party who have become disillusioned with Mr Mugabe, our correspondent says.
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".
Mr Mugabe's challengers have also complained that there were not enough polling stations in urban areas and no equal access to media. The chairman of Zimbabwe's electoral commission, George Chiweshe, has rejected the claim, saying the voters' roll was "credible".
The president has said the vote will be fair, warning opponents not to protest if they lost.The president has said the vote will be fair, warning opponents not to protest if they lost.
Increased military presenceIncreased military presence
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.
ZIMBABWE POLLS - KEY FACTS some 5.9 eligible votersthey elect president, parliament and local government nearly 9,000 polling stations polls open at 0500 GMT and close at 1700 GMTwinner needs more than 50% to avoid presidential run-off Campaign in picturesQ&A: Zimbabwe electionsZIMBABWE POLLS - KEY FACTS some 5.9 eligible votersthey elect president, parliament and local government nearly 9,000 polling stations polls open at 0500 GMT and close at 1700 GMTwinner needs more than 50% to avoid presidential run-off Campaign in picturesQ&A: Zimbabwe elections
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."
He said they would "thwart all threats to national security".He said they would "thwart all threats to national security".
A BBC contributor in Masvingo, in south-eastern Zimbabwe, says there is an increased military presence and fly-pasts by fighter jets.A BBC contributor in Masvingo, in south-eastern Zimbabwe, says there is an increased military presence and fly-pasts by fighter jets.
One villager told him: "We have been warned that if we vote Mugabe out, there will be war."One villager told him: "We have been warned that if we vote Mugabe out, there will be war."
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."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."
HAVE YOUR SAYJudging by the situation on the ground here in Harare, elections will no doubt be free and fair. The allegations being peddled are unfounded and based on hearsaySosten Musiniwa, HarareSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYJudging by the situation on the ground here in Harare, elections will no doubt be free and fair. The allegations being peddled are unfounded and based on hearsaySosten Musiniwa, HarareSend us your comments
However, campaigning has been relatively peaceful, with none of the widespread intimidation of opposition activists seen in polls in recent years.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 the elections.A total of 5.9 million people are eligible to vote in the elections.
A candidate must win more than 50% of the presidential vote to avoid a run-off in three weeks' time.A candidate must win more than 50% of the presidential vote to avoid a run-off in three weeks' time.
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.