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 22 Version 23
Kenyans count cliff-hanger vote Kenyans await elections outcome
(about 2 hours later)
Counting has continued through the night in polling stations across Kenya, in what is seen as the country's closest-ever elections. Counting is continuing in Kenya after presidential, parliamentary and local elections seen as its closest ever.
An election official said that turnout could reach 70%. First results are trickling in, and a number of government ministers have lost their seats in parliament.
Voting was extended in areas where polls opened several hours late - notably in the Nairobi slum of Kibera. But the presidential race between Mwai Kibaki and his main challenger Raila Odinga is too close to call.
President Mwai Kibaki faces his strongest challenge from his former ally, Raila Odinga, who alleged fraud before the polls opened. International observers praised the polls as generally smooth and fair. Final results from a "massive" turnout are not expected until Saturday.
An Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) spokesman told the BBC that turnout had been "massive" - maybe more than 70%. A spokesman for Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) told the BBC that turnout had perhaps been more than 70%, from an electorate of 14m.
Some say the huge numbers overwhelmed the authorities. Among those to lose their seats are the vice-president, Moody Awori, and the ministers for local government, information, and foreign affairs.
Correspondents say that in Kenya's previous elections, the outcome has been obvious before polling, or at least there has been a strong favourite.
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". At an overnight news conference, the ECK head, Samuel Kivuito, said there had been delays in voting and counting, and the process of compiling results was going slowly.
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. Some say the huge numbers overwhelmed the authorities. The queue of voters stretched for more than a kilometre outside some polling stations.
Mr Odinga, who has led recent opinion polls, was allowed to vote later - to cheering crowds in the constituency he represents in parliament. Voting was extended in areas where polls opened several hours late - notably in the Nairobi slum of Kibera.
Milking delayed This is the constituency of Mr Kibaki's main opponent, Raila Odinga - a former close ally of his.
There is tight security around the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, where the results will be announced. Mr Odinga helped Mr Kibaki to win the presidency in 2002. But the pair fell out soon afterwards.
Mr Odinga alleged fraud before the polls opened, and was not allowed at first to vote, though he did cast his ballot later in the day.
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 president has denied involvement in any election fraud. He 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 on Thursday. 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 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.
In the North-Eastern Province, one old man collapsed and died while waiting to vote.
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.
Evidence
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 were six other candidates in the presidential elections.
Email your observations by clicking on the link below. class="bodl" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3902&edition=1">Email us your voting experiences Email your observations by clicking on the link below.
Did you vote in the poll? Send us your 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.