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Kenyans await elections outcome Kenyans count cliff-hanger vote
(about 3 hours later)
Counting is continuing in Kenya after presidential, parliamentary and local elections seen as its closest ever.Counting is continuing in Kenya after presidential, parliamentary and local elections seen as its closest ever.
First results are trickling in, and a number of government ministers have lost their seats in parliament.First results are trickling in, and a number of government ministers have lost their seats in parliament.
But the presidential race between Mwai Kibaki and his main challenger Raila Odinga is too close to call.But the presidential race between Mwai Kibaki and his main challenger Raila Odinga is too close to call.
International observers praised the polls as generally smooth and fair. Final results from a "massive" turnout are not expected until Saturday.International observers praised the polls as generally smooth and fair. Final results from a "massive" turnout are not expected until Saturday.
A spokesman for Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) told the BBC that turnout had perhaps been more than 70%, from an electorate of 14m.A spokesman for Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) told the BBC that turnout had perhaps been more than 70%, from an electorate of 14m.
Correspondents say that in Kenya's previous elections, the outcome has been obvious before polling, or at least there has been a strong favourite.
When Mr Odinga first turned up to vote in the Nairobi slum of 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.
Mr Odinga, who has led recent opinion polls, was allowed to vote later - to cheering crowds in the constituency he represents in parliament.
Milking delayed
There is tight security around the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, where the results will be announced.
Among those to lose their seats are the vice-president, Moody Awori, and the ministers for local government and information.Among those to lose their seats are the vice-president, Moody Awori, and the ministers for local government and information.
Kibaki: Dream or nightmare?Odinga: King-makerKibaki: Dream or nightmare?Odinga: King-maker
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.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.
Some say the huge numbers overwhelmed the authorities. The queue of voters stretched for more than a kilometre outside some polling stations.Some say the huge numbers overwhelmed the authorities. The queue of voters stretched for more than a kilometre outside some polling stations.
Voting was extended in areas where polls opened several hours late - notably in the Nairobi slum of Kibera. Mr Kibaki was able to vote unhindered in the central town of Nyeri.
This is the constituency of Mr Kibaki's main opponent, Raila Odinga - a former close ally of his.
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' viewsVote in pictures
The president has denied involvement in any election fraud. He 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.
Correspondents say that in Kenya's previous elections, the outcome has been obvious before polling, or at least there has been a strong favourite. People started to queue before dawn.
I can see people shaking their fists BBC's Ruth Nesoba, Kibera At the polls: Reporters' logVoters' views
"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.
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 and voting was extended by two hours.
A man has been shot dead in Kibera - police say it was criminal, but Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) says it was political.
Evidence
Earlier, chief EU election monitor Alexander Graf Lambsdorff invited anyone with evidence of election fraud to come forward.
Vote 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.
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 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 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 were six other candidates in the presidential elections. There are six other candidates standing in the presidential elections.
Email your observations by clicking on the link below.Email your observations by clicking on the link below.
Did you vote in the poll? Send us your experiencesDid 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.