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 6 Version 7
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 opposition party and Simba Makoni, a defector from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF now standing as an 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 an independent.
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 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.
Polls are scheduled to close at 1900 (1700 GMT) with preliminary results expected by Monday.Polls are scheduled to close at 1900 (1700 GMT) with preliminary results expected by Monday.
Mugabe's warningMugabe's warning
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.
We have been warned that if we vote Mugabe out, there will be war Villager in Masvingo province Contributors report on votingMoment of truthHope, despair for bloggersWe have been warned that if we vote Mugabe out, there will be war Villager in Masvingo province Contributors report on votingMoment of truthHope, despair for bloggers
"I've been here since five to three this morning," Harare voter Mathias Chimutsi told the AFP news agency. "I am here to vote because my belly is empty.""I've been here since five to three this morning," Harare voter Mathias Chimutsi told the AFP news agency. "I am here to vote because my belly is empty."
Nearly six million people are eligible to vote.Nearly six million people are eligible to vote.
The BBC's Grant Ferrett in neighbouring South Africa says the relatively peaceful campaigning could tempt large numbers out to vote.The BBC's Grant Ferrett in neighbouring South Africa says the relatively peaceful campaigning could tempt large numbers out to vote.
However, he says there are fears the voting will be chaotic and confusing.However, he says there are fears the voting will be chaotic and confusing.
Voters will be confronted with four ballot papers and four separate boxes, for local, senate, assembly and presidential polls.
Mr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on a Western plotMr Mugabe blames Zimbabwe's problems on a Western plot
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 and in urban areas voters may have only seconds to cast their ballots.It was unclear whether they would be colour-coded and in urban areas voters may have only seconds to cast their ballots.
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.
'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".
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 elections
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 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 Mugabe blames a Western plot for ruining the economy.Mr Mugabe blames a Western plot for ruining the economy.
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 elections
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 chairman of Zimbabwe's electoral commission, George Chiweshe, has rejected the claim, saying the voters' roll was "credible".The chairman of Zimbabwe's electoral commission, George Chiweshe, has rejected the claim, saying the voters' roll was "credible".
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
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.
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.
Fly-pasts
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.
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
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."
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."
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.