This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7319905.stm

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 20 Version 21
Zimbabwean voters elect president Zimbabwean voters elect president
(about 3 hours 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 have been 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.
Queues formed early, but many voters have complained of not being allowed to cast their ballots.Queues formed early, but many voters have complained of not being allowed 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 was distressed and disappointed to be turned away after hours of queuing Tia, Harare Latest at a glance href="/1/hi/world/africa/7320153.stm">Quiet determination to voteIn pictures: Zimbabwe votes I was distressed and disappointed to be turned away after hours of queuing Tia, Harare Latest at a glance href="/1/hi/world/africa/7320612.stm">Quiet determination to voteIn pictures: Zimbabwe votes BBC southern African correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Mugabe and Zanu-PF will be relying on support from voters in the countryside, while the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is strongest in the cities.
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 Movement for Democratic Change (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 local time (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 local time (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 in some areas before the polls opened at 0500 GMT.
Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on a Western plot Robert Mugabe Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on a Western plot Robert Mugabe Across the country, there were reports of voters not being allowed to cast ballots - either because their names were not on the voters' roll or because they were trying to vote in the wrong ward.
One voter, Sandra, 23, told the BBC by phone from Bulawayo that voting was going efficiently. One UK resident said his sister was "disappointed and distressed" to be turned away "even though when she checked a couple of weeks ago she was on the [register]".
"There is a long queue behind me but it is moving. People around me are quiet and are waiting patiently to cast their vote." Others found the system fair and efficient. Sandra, 23, told the BBC by phone from Bulawayo: "There is a long queue behind me but it is moving. People around me are quiet and are waiting patiently to cast their vote."
Across the country, there are reports of voters not being allowed to vote - either because their names are not on the voters' roll or because they were trying to vote in the wrong ward.
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. There are local, senate, assembly and presidential polls, raising fears of confusion.
It was unclear whether they would be colour-coded raising fears of confusion. 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7316712.stm">Moment of truth class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7307576.stm">Campaign in pictures class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7293810.stm">Q&A: Zimbabwe elections On Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Makoni jointly expressed severe concerns about the polls.
Pan-African Parliament observers have now reportedly written to the electoral commission, saying 8,450 voters had been registered on a patch of deserted land in Harare.
But an African Union observer, Yvonne Khamati, told Kenyan TV: "Everything seems regular and people are coming out to vote. There is no sign of the military or police."
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 5.9m 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7316712.stm">Moment of truth class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7307576.stm">Campaign in pictures class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7293810.stm">Q&A: Zimbabwe elections class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYThe elections will no doubt be free and fair. The allegations being peddled are unfounded and based on hearsaySosten Musiniwa, Harare class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=1&forumID=4532&edition=1&ttl=20080327175211&#paginator">Send us your comments
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.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... we will succeed and we will conquer."
He added: "I cannot sleep with my conscience if I have rigged."
Mr Tsvangirai also said he expected to win as he cast his ballot in the capital.Mr 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' 'Full alert'
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".
Morgan Tsvangirai said victory is assured Morgan Tsvangirai
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. Morgan Tsvangirai said he was confident of victory href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7320000/newsid_7320400?redirect=7320445.stm&news=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&asb=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">Morgan Tsvangirai 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.
On Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Makoni jointly expressed severe concerns about the polls.
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 comments
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 send us your experiences by text on +44 7786 20 50 85.