Long queues as Zimbabwe votes

Critics led by the US and the EU dismissed Thursday’s vote as a sham, echoing Opposition charges that Mugabe has used repressive laws, intimidation and even vital food supplies to engineer a victory.

Washington says Mugabe has exploited food shortages — a frequent charge by the Opposition. ‘‘Our understanding is ruling party candidates have given out government-owned food to draw voters to rallies. And that is, frankly, a despicable practice,’’ said US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said, ‘‘We all agree on all benchmarks that this is not going to be a free and fair election, but…I am sure people will overcome the obstacles.’’

Election officials reported smooth voting, with polling stations drawing large queues in cities and rural voters using donkey-carts and bicycles to get their votes in. But the MDC said a candidate in its southern Matabeleland stronghold had disappeared after an attack by ZANU-PF backers on the eve of the poll.

A spokesman for the Zimbabawe Electoral Commission said polling stations closed at 7 pm. Officials expect first results within hours, although the final vote tally may take up to 48 hours.

Meanwhile, two British journalists working for Sunday Telegraph were arrested today for covering the election without state accreditation, the police said.