Zimbabwe Ends Vote to Decide If Mugabe Will Extend Rule
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Most Zimbabwean polling stations closed in an election that will decide whether President Robert Mugabe will extend his 33-year rule amid claims by his opponents that a flawed electoral roll threatened a free vote.
Both Mugabe, 89, and his main challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai, 61, said they’re confident of victory and will respect the result. While balloting for the southern African nation’s president and 210 members of parliament was due to end at 7 p.m. local time, electoral commission chairwoman Rita Makarau said turnout was high and polling booths would remain open as long as needed “even if takes us to midnight.”