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Kenyans vote amid fears of fraud Huge turnout in close Kenyan poll
(about 3 hours later)
Long queues of voters have been waiting to cast their ballots, as Kenyans choose a president in an atmosphere marred by accusations of poll rigging. Long lines of voters have been queuing to cast their ballots, as Kenyans choose a president in an atmosphere marred by accusations of poll rigging.
President Mwai Kibaki is seeking a second term, in what is seen as the tightest election in Kenya's history.President Mwai Kibaki is seeking a second term, in what is seen as the tightest election in Kenya's history.
Turnout seems to be high in many areas but voting was delayed for hours in parts of the Nairobi slum of Kibera. Turnout seems to be high in many areas but voting was delayed for six hours in parts of the Nairobi slum of Kibera.
Mr Kibaki's closest challenger Raila Odinga has been able to vote there after his name was left off the roll. Mr Kibaki's closest challenger Raila Odinga has voted, although his name was missing from the voters' roll.
There were problems with the voters' roll for names starting with "R" and "O", although the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) said a new register would be issued shortly. The BBC's Karen Allen in Kibera says there were ecstatic scenes of cheering crowds when Mr Odinga finally voted in Kibera - his parliamentary constituency.
"I have registered my strong protest to the [Electoral Commission of Kenya] that this appears to me as something that has been done by design," Mr Odinga said. There were problems with the voters' roll for names starting with "R" and "O", although the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) says it will relax the rules to enable people to vote.
"I have registered my strong protest to the commission that this appears to me as something that has been done by design," Mr Odinga said.
Kibaki: Dream or nightmare?Odinga: King-makerKibaki: Dream or nightmare?Odinga: King-maker
Mr Odinga has been the front-runner in opinion polls in recent weeks - yet his team has accused the president's side of dirty tricks.Mr Odinga has been the front-runner in opinion polls in recent weeks - yet his team has accused the president's side of dirty tricks.
The ECK has announced that voting will be extended in areas where the start was delayed. The ECK has announced that voting will be extended in areas where the start was delayed. Polling was due to end at 1700 local time (1400 GMT).
"We want to assure Kenyans that those who are registered will be given an opportunity to vote," said the ECK's Jack Tumwa."We want to assure Kenyans that those who are registered will be given an opportunity to vote," said the ECK's Jack Tumwa.
He also said that the election had generally gone smoothly, except in Kibera.
Milking delayedMilking delayed
Mr Kibaki was able to vote unhindered in the central town of Nyeri.Mr Kibaki was able to vote unhindered in the central town of Nyeri.
"I am sure we will win. Thank you Kenyans for giving me an opportunity and I will not tire serving you," he said."I am sure we will win. Thank you Kenyans for giving me an opportunity and I will not tire serving you," he said.
Across the country, people have been turning up in large numbers to vote. In a tight electoral race, queues formed before dawn.
I can see people shaking their fists BBC's Ruth Nesoba, Kibera At the polls: Reporters' logAt the polls: Voters' logI can see people shaking their fists BBC's Ruth Nesoba, Kibera At the polls: Reporters' logAt the polls: Voters' log
"I have not even milked my cow because today we are putting our country first," said Mary Muthoni Gikiri as she waited to vote in Mr Kibaki's hometown of Othaya, some 200km (125 miles) from the capital, Nairobi."I have not even milked my cow because today we are putting our country first," said Mary Muthoni Gikiri as she waited to vote in Mr Kibaki's hometown of Othaya, some 200km (125 miles) from the capital, Nairobi.
The queue of voters stretches for more than a kilometre outside one Nairobi polling station.The queue of voters stretches for more than a kilometre outside one Nairobi polling station.
But there have been angry scenes in Kibera, where voting was delayed for about six hours. But tempers have frayed in Kibera, where voting was delayed for about six hours.
Polling has now begun but so many names are missing from the register, that officials have said people can vote with their national identity card and voter registration card.Polling has now begun but so many names are missing from the register, that officials have said people can vote with their national identity card and voter registration card.
Some fear this could lead to fraud.Some fear this could lead to fraud.
Our correspondent says the long queues are rapidly shrinking.
EvidenceEvidence
Generally, turnout looks to be high, according to chief EU election monitor Alexander Graf Lambsdorff.Generally, turnout looks to be high, according to chief EU election monitor Alexander Graf Lambsdorff.
"According to reports from across the country, voting is relatively calm and Kenyans are turning up in great numbers to vote," he told the AFP news agency."According to reports from across the country, voting is relatively calm and Kenyans are turning up in great numbers to vote," he told the AFP news agency.
Vote in picturesVote in pictures
Earlier, he invited anyone with evidence of election fraud to come forward.Earlier, he invited anyone with evidence of election fraud to come forward.
"As far as allegations of rigging are concerned, they are just that - allegations," he told the BBC."As far as allegations of rigging are concerned, they are just that - allegations," he told the BBC.
Mr Odinga's supporters have accused the president of using state security agents to help rig the polls.Mr Odinga's supporters have accused the president of using state security agents to help rig the polls.
Three police officers were killed in Kisumu, after the opposition alleged that they were carrying pre-marked ballot papers.Three police officers were killed in Kisumu, after the opposition alleged that they were carrying pre-marked ballot papers.
The president has denied having any involvement in election fraud.The president has denied having any involvement in election fraud.
More than 14 million Kenyans are eligible to vote - they are also voting in parliamentary and local elections.More than 14 million Kenyans are eligible to vote - they are also voting in parliamentary and local elections.
President Kibaki, running under the banner of a broad-based coalition known as the Party of National Unity, hopes his economic record will secure a second term.President Kibaki, running under the banner of a broad-based coalition known as the Party of National Unity, hopes his economic record will secure a second term.
Mr Odinga, who heads ODM, played a key role in Mr Kibaki's 2002 victory. Mr Odinga, who heads the Orange Democratic Movement, played a key role in Mr Kibaki's 2002 victory.
But the pair fell out soon afterwards.But the pair fell out soon afterwards.
Mr Kibaki's critics accuse him of failing to keep his promise to tackle corruption.Mr Kibaki's critics accuse him of failing to keep his promise to tackle corruption.
There are eight candidates standing in the presidential elections.There are eight candidates standing in the presidential elections.
The first results are expected on Friday.The first results are expected on Friday.
Email your observations by clicking on the link below. Email us your voting experiencesEmail your observations by clicking on the link below. Email us your voting experiences
Or you can text us your election day observations to +44 7786 20 50 75 but please remember to tell us your name and where you are.Or you can text us your election day observations to +44 7786 20 50 75 but please remember to tell us your name and where you are.