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Kenyans count cliff-hanger vote Kenyans count cliff-hanger vote
(about 6 hours later)
Election officials have started counting the votes in what is seen as the closest election in Kenyan history. Counting has continued through the night in polling stations across Kenya, in what is seen as the country's closest-ever elections.
Long lines of voters queued to cast their ballots - an election official said that turnout could reach 70%. An election official said that turnout could reach 70%.
Voting has been extended in areas where polls opened several hours late - notably in the Nairobi slum of Kibera. Voting was extended in areas where polls opened several hours late - notably in the Nairobi slum of Kibera.
President Mwai Kibaki faces his strongest challenge from his former ally, Raila Odinga, who alleged fraud before the polls opened.President Mwai Kibaki faces his strongest challenge from his former ally, Raila Odinga, who alleged fraud before the polls opened.
An Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) spokesman told the BBC that turnout had been "massive" - maybe more than 70%.An Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) spokesman told the BBC that turnout had been "massive" - maybe more than 70%.
Some say the huge numbers overwhelmed the authorities.Some say the huge numbers overwhelmed the authorities.
Correspondents say that in Kenya's previous elections, the outcome has been obvious before polling, or at least there has been a strong favourite.Correspondents say that in Kenya's previous elections, the outcome has been obvious before polling, or at least there has been a strong favourite.
Polling was due to end at 1700 local time (1400 GMT).
Kibaki: Dream or nightmare?Odinga: King-makerKibaki: Dream or nightmare?Odinga: King-maker
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".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 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.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.
Mr Odinga, who has led recent opinion polls, was allowed to vote later - to cheering crowds in the constituency he represents in parliament.Mr Odinga, who has led recent opinion polls, was allowed to vote later - to cheering crowds in the constituency he represents in parliament.
Milking delayedMilking delayed
There is tight security around the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, where the results will be announced.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' logVoters' viewsI can see people shaking their fists BBC's Ruth Nesoba, Kibera At the polls: Reporters' logVoters' views
The first presidential results are expected on Friday but parliamentary results could be known earlier.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.
People started to queue before dawn. People started to queue before dawn on Thursday.
"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 stretched for more than a kilometre outside some polling stations.The queue of voters stretched for more than a kilometre outside some polling stations.
In the North-Eastern Province, one old man collapsed and died while waiting to vote.In the North-Eastern Province, one old man collapsed and died while waiting to vote.
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.
There were isolated reports of violence. A man was shot dead in Kibera - police say it was criminal, but Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) says it was political.There were isolated reports of violence. A man was shot dead in Kibera - police say it was criminal, but Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) says it was political.
At least two other deaths were reported in western Kenya.At least two other deaths were reported in western Kenya.
EvidenceEvidence
Earlier, chief EU election monitor Alexander Graf Lambsdorff invited anyone with evidence of election fraud to come forward.Earlier, chief EU election monitor Alexander Graf Lambsdorff invited anyone with evidence of election fraud to come forward.
Vote in picturesVote in pictures
"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.
On Wednesday three police officers were killed in Kisumu, after the opposition alleged that they were carrying pre-marked ballot papers.On Wednesday three police officers were killed in Kisumu, after the opposition alleged that they were carrying pre-marked ballot papers.
The president has denied involvement in any election fraud.The president has denied involvement in any election fraud.
More than 14 million Kenyans were eligible to take part in Thursday's polls - which also included parliamentary and local elections.More than 14 million Kenyans were eligible to take part in Thursday's polls - which also included 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 played a key role in Mr Kibaki's 2002 victory.Mr Odinga 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.
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.