I got a text from Hatfield who said that the queues were moving swiftly and they managed to vote. The newzimbabwe.com forum also has people posting saying that pollinhg stations are empty in Harare. I suppose some people have been disheartened by the fact that there is only 1 day to vote and reports have been posted that this would mean that each person has 22 seconds to vote. The elections have traditionally ben plagued by slow processing, long queues and dodgy officials, also it is reported that armoured police have been deployed and instructed to 'help' the aged and illiterate to vote. But I hope that people still go and try and vote. We may all be pleasantly surprised, hope is all we have!

My plea to everyone is that we accept the results even if Mugabe wins again. From there we negotiate for a government of national unity where the power can be shared with the opposition. What I really dont want to see is a situation where there is war in Zimbabwe.

as a fellow Zimbabwean who was born under Mugabe, its hard to envisage any new changes now. What i hope for, and what i want my fellow country men to also hope for is NO VIOLENCE when the results are out.
I doubt Mugabe will lose but if there is peace, i am sure we can find a way to carry on.

I guess you're not Zimbabwean and therefore have no godly right to be in Zimbabwe illegelly no wonder why you are barred from being n there. By the way which 'other' African organisations were barred from covering the elections.

Thank God there are many other journalists covering the Zimbabwe story.

It really grinds me the way every single African country must go through this. War leaders don't have the business acumen to run economies. Zim has lost a whole generation to this mans addiction to power. Mbeki failed to implement his NEPAD/African Renaissance – talk is cheap he couldn't walk the walk. He could have ensured these elections were fair – they had 5 years to do it. Methinks he was a compromised arbitrator -after all ANC and ZANU go waaay back – its time all these buddy-buddy relationships were thrown into the garbage bin of history. Widespread gerrymandering has sealed the fate of these elections. Now the opposition's accreditation has suddenly been 'lost' for 19 constituencies – you can bet the boxes are being stuffed to the brim! The threats coming from the police and army are designed to subjugate the peoples will. The citizens of Zimbabwe deserve better. The irony is Zimbabweans will in all likelyhood have to fight another 'liberation war' to remove the shackles that are Robert Mugabe!

The people of Zimbabwe are voting today as they have done on so many occasions – when the land distribution began it was to win back the support of people who had become disgruntled. The situation has deteriorated even more other the last eight years. It is important to release the importance of the words Mugabe uses when he says "our freedom was brought about through the barrel of a gun". Statements like that mean a lot to Zimbabweans but not in the way one would think if you do not understand the history of the people. The liberation struggle was extremely brutal and the people that were marred by are the same people that understand the threat behind "freedom ...through the barrel of a gun". It tells you what you can get if you do not do what is expected of you and fear of war is more real than you all understand even after 28 years. So whatever th outcome of the elections today (rigging or not) please try and understand the road the people have traveled to get to where they are today.

(Please do not disclose my name)

Well its time for the old man to go. Shame on Mbeki who is refusing to condem Mugabe because his country is generating a lot of revenue at the expense of mismanagement of Mugabe

the people of Zimbabwe have had enough and we all know its not their power to choose their will, its chosen for them. They are not ready to take it to the streets as there is so much to lose with such actions. Lets hope the will of the Lord shall prevail after the elections.

its high time we need a change in zimbabwe we have suffered enough and we cant take it anymore Mugabe must go and i guess the elections they are not going to be free and fair as always .Simba to win

Here we go again – another election surely stolen by the dictator. Cheds is spot-on with his commentary: none of the other African leaders care to speak out directly against this tyranny as they know full well it would compromise their ability to someday steal their OWN elections! Beautiful people, magnificent continent, bad leaders. To quote from BLOOD DIAMOND; "TIA – this is Africa". While Mugabe lives large, the people starve. I wonder what Thomas Mapfumo would sing about the current government. Hey Pamela – maybe time for Chimurenga against the current oppressor of freedom?

I read these few blogs and my eyes welled for our beloved Africa. I'm a Kenyan who have witnessed stollen elections every five year but 2002. Some aged africans who fought the colonialist don't believe in any wrong doing with the establishment. I'm proud to have visited Zimbabwe when the streets of Harare and other small cities were the most beautiful in all the countries that I've been into, in Africa. It breaks my heart to understand that, this once vibrant model of African pride is no more.
I strongly believe that, a little commotion that will rebelate people from these African demagouges ,is good for Africa and this appears to be the only way out for those of us who were born by or after independence. Neo-colonialism? I do believe that most african counries are worse off than the colonialn era. Look what Just happened to Kenya. This was not in vain cause I do believe something good is about to happen. Zimbabweans, it is your right to fight for your rights if your votes can not count. Long live Zimbabwe, and her people and down with the Mugabes of Africa.

Why are all these people waiting for Mugabe to loose. It would be bad for Mugabe if he lost, but it would be a devastating event for the progress of Africa as she tries to heal. I can see with clear eyes the venom being pored on this poor country. It appears he is doomed if wins and doomed if looses as the oppresors are prepared to reek havok in his land. One knows this is about racism, because the same ones who critisize Mugabe praise the worst dictators of all time and hail them as heros. Don't they know they have cursed their own history this way? What about Charles Robberts Swart, Jozua Frangois Naudi and all the other presidents of South Africa when South African people were at the height of their oppression. Were they not considered dictators or monsters!!! I wonder how you could bring your pen to write such blasphemies with consciousness. I recall from my readings and recants of my ancestors past down about the horrors the African people survived from real monsters who now with great balls of fire, call great men monsters and dictators. When I think of the load Mugabe has taken on, one that not only will he never in his breathing life get due credit for, he stands to be accused of horrible things by his good, righteous and just acts. I SAY HOW REALLY GREAT A MAN THIS IS!!! What about the Xhosa killings of 1856-57. HOW CAN YOU SAY MUGABE IS A MONSTER WHEN THE HISTORY OF EUROPEAN RULE DICTATES THIS!!!! After all Africans have been through, how do you expect them to just heal. How does one rid his people of the haunting of generations? These people were striped of thousands and possibly millions of years of traditions, trades and crafts erased with pure greed and evilness. These people have been diseased, had their pride ripped from their souls, ripped from their DNA!! These people were separated from their family, stripped from their land, and thrown into poverty, ignorance and oppression. How does he take his nation back and give them back all they lost. IT”S NOT EASY!!!! IT WON”T BE EASY BUT IT WILL BE DONE!!!! …There will be trials as people have to relearn to farm. There will be trials as the previous oppressor spews his plague on them, poison’’s the land, disease the people, use their powers to destroy the economy. Yes, Mugube — Many of us can see with clarity your plight. Many can see and because they fear your oppressors, they praise you with quiet whispers. You will succeed and lead and many nations shall follow!!!! What about the regime of George W. Bush. It has been a dictatorship. The rule and oppression have been delivered BY manipulation and misinformation FOR Greed!!!

CNN your comments are useless. You don't allow them to post!!!

The politics of the "Alpha Male" is appliccable in African politics.

The guy with the most guns demands the most respect (fear) from the populace, and will win.

Those with fewer guns are cast out and trampled upon.

Mugabe's got the most guns, and will win again, sadly.

At least much of the information is that the elections were peaceful, thank God, that doomdays prophesis were unfoundede. however i am disappointed by the MDC and Western Media who were claiming the elections will be rigged, the government is rigging, yet at the same time, the opposition is claiming victory. If indeed they were rigged, could they have obtained the 67% they are claiming? what if the government now says that MDC rigged since they have won? since when has the MDC got the Constitutional mandate to declare election results and is that what election authorities do even in Western Democracies? MDC claim these results are partial, but still sound as if it is final. Can they behave maturely? Keep your partial results and wait.

Its true these cruel leaders who are power hungry old and a disgrace to the whole african nation why can't they leave like Nelson Mendela I am a cousin to former Minister of Transport and Rural resources and former late Mashonaland west governor and I know that these elections are not going to be free and fair they don't want demoracy and Mbeki has failed Zimbabweans I feel sorry and sad for every Zimbabweans.

Mzee.....Are YOU Zimbabwean? If so you could not fail to know about all of those who have been beaten, murdered,starved,raped into submission these past 28 years?? If Mugabe has nothing to hide, why does he not let reputable and fair news organisations report on his elections? Like your namesake, Mugabe was once worthy of respect, but has lost the right to that through disregards for his people's welfare. It's time for him to go. take off your blinkers!

As a white Zimbabwean living in USA, having family back home it is troubling to read these stories. Everyday i hope for the best for everyone and i hope that these elections don't bring rise to a situation such as in Kenya. All i can hope for is that things turn around, and, even if they do, there is still a long long long way to go. Will i ever go back to zimbabwe? Whether things change or not, and no matter how long it takes, my heart bleeds for that country. It's a long long road, and the future is barely even imaginable, but I pray that i will have a zimbabwe to go back to. my eyes swell with tears every time i think about how much i miss africa and it's a people.
lets hope these elections give us all fresh hope to start re-building our country!

Born, and still living in Zimbabwe. Not that I don't have choices, there are plenty! If one has never been to Zimbabwe then they do not qualify to judge Zimbabwe and it's populace, politicians and non-politicians, civilians and otherwise. One needs to know the history of Zimbabwe – the unbiased history, to understand what is happening NOW. The peacefulness, humbleness and homeliness of the generality of the Zimbabwean populace is God given and unequalled the world over. It's been mistaken for cowardice!! Think again! Without provocation for results desired by those wanting to exercise their devilish whims Zimbabweans will always be peaceful. It shouldn't come as a surprise! Generally, since 1980 ALL that was due to Zimbabweans was supposed to be RIGHTFULLY RETURNED (or REGAINED by) to Zimbabweans the RIGHT manner, at the RIGHT TIME, with no hard feelings from ALL concerned parties! But the DARKER side of ALL the concerned parties have ruled – (maybe until now, or later!! ). In IsiNdebele we say "Okungapheliyo kuyahlola"!

I know that your reporters are not being permitted to go into Zimbabwe and report on what is going on with these elections. But as a Zimbabwean (albeit one living outside of the country), I have to clear some things up. One of the mistakes the West makes and continues to make is to support one particular candidate and further that candidates cause as a solution to the political situation in countries oppressed under dictatorships. This usually comes back to bite the people of the country and the West in the you-know-where. So let me speak on behalf of all Zimabweans when I inform you that the last thing any free thinking Zimbabwean would want is Morgan Tsvangirai in power. Him and his MDC party are a joke and to hand our country over to them would be disgraceful. Not that we support the President, but Morgan Tsvangirai is simply not an option. If our hopes lie anywhere, it is with Simba Makoni who, even in his time as Minister of Finance, was hailed as the best prospect for the future Zimabwe. To give you an analogy that you can understand: Simba Makoni is to Zimbabwe as Obama is to America – he represents hope, change and a different way of running things. So, if you're going to root for anyone, if you're going to push for anyone to win this election, say a prayer for Simba Makoni because God knows, we need a miracle and we need it yesterday.

Mr Mugabe, please go a w a y, otherwise there will be W A R and we will bring you to The International Court in The Hague Holland, just go away, give up

Sincerely

Vj Vreque

I spent 2 year in Zimbabwe working as 20 year old junior TOBACCO buyer for CASALEE and would be honnered to return and help to build up beatyfull ZIMBABWE!! Take a break mr Mugabe!!!!
sincerely
VJ

I am in New Zealand (time 1.40pm) reading your website and waiting uncertainly for the final decision to be made on the result of the current elections. I am from Bulawayo which when I lived there was a thriving, wealthy and happy place to be for both black and white people. To see the country brought to its current status by Mugabe breaks my heart, and the sheer size of its problems makes me wonder just how long it would take to mend, even under another ruler. My thoughts to go out to all the people over there so hopefully anticipating a win by the MDC. No doubt the tyrant Mugabe has to go and he also be held accountable for all the horror he has brought to be people of Zimbabwe. If he had to face the Human Rights Commission there is no doubt he would be in severe trouble and that alone means he will rig the election results. It is all so very sad.

To Carolyn Brown, you clearly have never lived in Zimbabwe and do not know what you are talking about. Yes Mugabe won independence in 80's and returned the land to the majority, I do not reject this, and think it was right to return the land and its governance to Zimbabweans. He started out by giving the people everything they wanted education, health care, and the ability to create a their Zimbabwe. However, through the years he became corrupt and never followed thorugh with returning the land to Zimbabweans. The British gave him money to buy back the land from white Zimbabweans at a fair price, but he squandered this with his cronies, so when the war veterans 20 years later asked for their land, he had no money and had to 'take' it back illegally from hard working farmers (yes they are white) but they were also now Zimbabweans and helped turn Zimbabwe into the bread basket of Africa. He did this violently and created a racist reason behind this and blamed it on the colonial past and the west. Most of these 4,600 farms are now not farmed, (only 400 farmers remain) many of the farms were given to his cronies as holiday farms, the locals who were lucky enough to be given the land, have no money to buy seed to farm it. But back to the point, 10 years ago he started a war on all Zimbabweans, slowly rewriting the constitution and changing the laws, stopping freedom of speach and press, this started the downward spiral of the economic meltdown which affected every Zimbabwean. And yes it was meticulously planned. There is hardly any power, water, food, physical money to buy the food even if you are lucky enough to have a good balance in the bank, the medical practice has disappeared, schooling has disintegrated and 4 million Zimbabweans have fled to try and feed their families. Many of them sending money back home to their relatives. This is the economic oppression which has affected everyone. Then there is the terror campaign, political tortures, rapes and murders which he has orchestrated and ruined many lives. Mugabe, has no humanity for his fellow Zimbabweans, he walks around in Saville Row suit and eats off of the best china, while his people starve and he rejects foreign food aid to the oppostion party. It is time he left, Zimbabweans want change and they want to have a voice again to run their own country. So in final response to you, he is a 'Monster', and yes every nation has had theirs, there is always injustice and cruelty in the world, let us not be led on our views on Zimbabwe by political views of righting the colonial worngs, that is in the past, let us think to loving your neighbour, and letting the voice of Zimbabwe speak for justice and a new future. These words come from a Zimbabwean who has been affected by this one man!

To Carolyn Brown.l will ask the same question that are you Zimbabwean or are you in Zimbabwe or have you been in Zimbabwe this current year? If you have l think you like to see blood being shade,there is nothing nice you want out of people. People are dying everyday of hunger,go to Mbare, Chitungwiza, Mufakose and get in their rooms and you will find out that its just a number but people have no food,they can not afford anything,no accomodation, no basic commodities, shops are empty, companies are fleeing Zimbabwe, No Docters, no drugs totally nothing, So what do you mean if you say Yes to our 1980 regime. Yes it was great by then but no longer successful. What about the innocent people. The working class is now useless. How do you judge that. l am pure Zimbabwean and l know all that histroy but that is not the way of ruling when people are suffering like that, that was histroy right but this is today, can we call our ancesters today to come and give us food? That's not possible so burry that for now and we need a change, we need a new government, he can not rule forever.There is no better person to oppose him unlike Morgan Tsvangirai so let that be and people vote for him. Everyone being born now is not a War Verteran(non participated in the war) so are you saying until forever no one is going to rule Zimbabwe without having been in the 1960"s war? Get real and face reality. We are talking of people here and not just ghosts of Zimbabwe. Have a heart dear.

I am a Zambian who remembers very well back in the day when Zimbabwe's economy was one of the best in Africa. I remember my parents jokingly saying they would move to Zimbabwe because life was better there. I saw what they meant when I traveled to Harare on my high school class trip; beautiful city! My heart goes out to all Zimbabweans and I pray that however these elections turn out, it wont be another Kenya situation. I am just an interested and concerned observer who thinks its time that Mugabe left office for someone else to lead the country. He has ruined the once thriving nation and brought it down to what it is all because of his selfish interests and hunger for power. I always wonder whats wrong with these African rulers who think they are owed a lifetime presidency all because they helped bring about independence from colonial rule? Not that we are being ungrateful and all, but he would be more respected if he retired; look at how Mandela has earned so much respect. Kenneth Kaunda in Zambia also wanted to do the same thing till the voice of the people got heard and he was out in the 1991 elections and the country has never been better. I am sure Zimbabwe will be better off by far with another leader and it is my sincere hope and prayer that the elections will favor the opposition. Mugabe's a#@ needs to go! You are in our thoughts and prayers our Zimbabwean brothers & sisters...

Zimbabwe was a very strong peaceful country. I do not understand why that old goat mugabe is not banished from setting foot in any other country. Or is it that the rest of the world does not have a clean slate as well. ????. Makes me wonder just who does one turn to in times of strife. I think Africa will perish at the rate the famine, desease & intenal wars for power goes on. The corrupt have no interest in human rights or the good of the country. Where are the human rights groups that fight for the right of murders getting fair treatment. they only open the mouth when the targets are easy. Give us intelligent Woman Presidents.