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/7160780.stm

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
Huge turnout in close Kenyan poll Kenyans count cliff-hanger vote
(about 3 hours later)
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. Election officials have started counting the votes in what is seen as the closest election in Kenyan history.
President Mwai Kibaki is seeking a second term, in what is seen as the tightest election in Kenya's history. Long lines of voters queued to cast their ballots - an election official said that turnout could reach 70%.
Turnout seems to be high in many areas but voting was delayed for six hours in parts of the Nairobi slum of Kibera. Voting has been extended in areas where polls opened several hours late - notably in the Nairobi slum of Kibera.
Mr Kibaki's closest challenger Raila Odinga has voted, although his name was missing from the voters' roll. President Mwai Kibaki faces his strongest challenge from his former ally, Raila Odinga, who alleged fraud before the polls opened.
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. An Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) spokesman told the BBC that turnout had been "massive" - maybe more than 70%.
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. Correspondents say that in Kenya's previous elections, the outcome has been obvious before polling, or at least there has been a strong favourite.
"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. Polling was due to end at 1700 local time (1400 GMT).
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. When Mr Odinga first turned up to vote in Kibera, his name was missing from the electoral register - like many other people whose names began with "R" or "O".
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). The BBC's Karen Allen in Kibera says this will fuel suspicions of a plot to rig the election, although other say it was merely a bureaucratic mix-up.
"We want to assure Kenyans that those who are registered will be given an opportunity to vote," said the ECK's Jack Tumwa. Mr Odinga, who has led recent opinion polls, was allowed to vote later - to cheering crowds in the constituency he represents in parliament.
He also said that the election had generally gone smoothly, except in Kibera.
Milking delayedMilking delayed
There is tight security around the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, where the results will be announced.
I can see people shaking their fists BBC's Ruth Nesoba, Kibera At the polls: Reporters' logAt the polls: Voters' log
The first presidential results are expected on Friday but parliamentary results could be known earlier.
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.
In a tight electoral race, queues formed before dawn. People started to queue before dawn.
I 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 stretched for more than a kilometre outside some polling stations.
But tempers have frayed in Kibera, where voting was delayed for about six hours. In the North-Eastern Province, one old man collapsed and died while waiting to vote.
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. Tempers frayed in Kibera, where voting was delayed for about six hours.
Because so many names were missing from the voters' roll, officials said people could 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. Earlier, chief EU election monitor Alexander Graf Lambsdorff invited anyone with evidence of election fraud to come forward.
"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.
"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 the Orange Democratic Movement, 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.