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Long queues were formed at polling stations in Zimbabwe during the first general election since the overthrow of leader Robert Mugabe
. Foreign observers hailed this election as an opportunity for Zimbabwe to break with its repressive past.
The presidential election is expected to be a tight competition between incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa and his main rival Nelson Chamisa.
Parliamentary and local elections also take place on Monday.
Reading the media is not supported on your device [19659011] Media legend Why are elections in Zimbabwe historic
Polls give Mr. Mnangagwa, who heads the party in power Zanu-PF, a narrow lead over Mr. Chamisa, who heads the MDC Alliance. The two leaders are running for the presidency for the first time.
On Sunday, Mugabe, who came to power after independence in 1980, said he would not vote for his successor.
Mr. Mugabe, considered one of the last "great men" of African politics, was forced Mr. Mnangagwa left his post last November with the help of the army .
An air of optimism
By Pumza Fihlani, BBC News
In the village of Domboshawa, about an hour's drive north of the capital, Harare, many had already made the tail before sunrise. ] The first group of voters was mostly seniors but there were also young people. A local primary school was transformed into a polling station for the historic election. Surrounded by mountains and hills, the villagers are in a good mood, chatting and laughing.
But the stakes are high. The future of Zimbabwe is in the balance and nothing is certain. The race has been hotly contested, but there is a bit of optimism, unlike the nervousness I have witnessed in previous elections here.
"This election is different, there was no violence, tell me." After counting his vote, he says his prayer is that the one who wins wins Zimbabwe. suffered, "he says, moving away towards the winding dirt road
How were the candidates accommodated in the polling stations?
The crowds whistled and threw themselves into the songs of" Chamisa "The MDC leader has voted on the outskirts of Harare amidst a media scramble
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Nelson Chamisa hopes to become the youngest president of Zimbabwe
"We will win this election insofar as it is free and fair … it is a fait accompli," he told the BBC
By contrast, Mr. Mnangagwa, estimated at 75 years, voted in a quiet polling station in a school in the central city of Kwekwe.
At one point, we saw him head out of the polling booth to check where he had to put his cross on the ballot.
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa attempts to reconstruct Zimbabwe's credibility in the West
He tweeted that Zimbabweans should vote with "peace in our hearts".
"We are going to sink or swim together," he added.
Who make up the majority of voters?
The country expects a strong voter turnout for the first time. Younger voters are expected to be the key – almost half of those registered are under the age of 35.
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They also expressed concern about the security of ballots of voting and intimidation of voters. However, the electoral commission insists that it has acted in accordance with the law and that it will conduct a credible poll.
Meeting the Leaders
Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zanu-PF
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- Known as the "Crocodile" because of his political finesse – his party is known as "Lacoste".
- Accused of orchestrating attacks on opposition supporters after the 2008 elections
- Thought to be 75 years old, he promises to create jobs and is considered open to economic reforms [19659044] Survived several assassination attempts in favor of former President Mugabe.
The & quot; Crocodile & quot; who retorted
Nelson Chamisa, MDC Alliance
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- His Skull Fractured Agents in 2007
- Became a Member of Parliament at 25 , minister at 31 years old and could become the youngest president at 40
- A recently qualified pastor, he uses the hashtag #GodIsInIt for his campaign
- promised to rebuild the devastated economy of the country omy, but has been criticized for making extravagant promises – such as introducing a high-speed train and bringing the Olympics to Zimbabwe.
The crusader attacking the crocodile of Zimbabwe
What do foreign observers say?
Liberian ex-President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who monitors the polls on behalf of the US-based National Democratic Institute, told the BBC that long queues showed Zimbabweans were excited to vote without any repression. ] Copyright of the author
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More than 5.6 million voters registered
"I think it's an exciting time for Zimbabweans to change the course of their country through their votes," she told the BBC.
Elmar Brok, Chief Observer of the European Union (EU), said that "transparent, credible and inclusive elections are crucial for Zimbabwe."
More information on post-Mugabe Zimbabwe
was allowed to monitor the elections in Zimbabwe.
Mr. Mnangagwa invited them to observe the ballot as part of his attempts to end the isolation of Zimbabwe and to secure investments to rebuild the destroyed economy.
Mugabe had bad relations with Western powers, accusing them of weakening Zimbabwe's sovereignty and trying to overthrow his hm.
million. Is Mugabe a factor?
There is an overwhelming feeling, especially among young people, that Mr Mugabe, 94, is out of touch, and that a new Zimbabwe is waiting to be born, says our correspondent.
On Sunday, Mr. Mugabe gave a surprise press conference where he refused to support his former ally Mr. Mnangagwa
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He indicated that Mr. Chamisa was the only viable candidate.
In response to comments, Mr. Mnangagwa accused his former boss of entering into a deal with the opposition.
"It is clear to all that Chamisa has forged an agreement with Mugabe, we can no longer believe that his intentions are to transform Zimbabwe and rebuild our nation."
Mr. Mugabe also denied that in as president, he planned to give direction to his wife "
- Did the generals of Zimbabwe turn into democrats?
The election in number
- 5,635,706 is reinstated to a new voter role; the opposition still has doubts as to its accuracy
- 43.5% of registered voters are under 35 years of age
- 10 985 polling stations
- 16 years since EU and US observers were allowed to monitor the elections
10 figures that tell the story of Zimbabwe
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