Zimbabwe heads to the polls

Zimbabweans are heading to polling stations today, to take part in Presidential and parliamentary elections. Long queues have been forming across the country, as people cast their ballots. Current President Robert Mugabe, 89, has said he will step down after 33 years in power if he and his Zanu-PF Party lose. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic change party has accused Zanu-PF of doctoring the electoral roll, a charge it has denied; with Mr Mugabe repeatedly pledging the election would be free and fair - dismissing allegations his party will rig the results. Campaigning for the presidential and parliamentary elections was mostly free and fair. Zanu-PF and MDC have shared an uneasy coalition government since 2009 under a deal brokered to put an end to deadly violence that erupted after a disputed presidential election earlier that year. Polls opened at 07.00 local time and are due to close at 19.00 local time. The government has barred Western observers from monitoring the elections, but local organizations have been accredited too. The turn-out is expected to be high within the countries 6.4 million population, with thousands attending recent rallies.