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Supporters of Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai sit in a tree during an election rally in Harare on July 29, 2013/AFP

Africa

Zimbabwe heads to the polls in tense presidential vote

Mugabe has focused his campaign on bashing homosexuals and on promises to widen the redistribution of wealth to poor black Zimbabweans.

Amid recovery from an economic crisis that saw mass unemployment and galloping inflation, Mugabe loyalists insist their hero is “tried and tested”.

Credible opinion polls are rare, but according to one survey by the US-based Williams firm in March-April, Mugabe could be in for a rough ride.

In a survey of 800 Zimbabweans, 61 percent said they had a favourable view the MDC compared with 27 percent for Mugabe’s ZANU-PF.

The poll showed Tsvangirai leading in seven of 10 provinces and that only 34 percent of those who voted for Mugabe in 2008 back him for president this time around.

Tsvangirai hopes his plans to lure back foreign investors, create a million jobs in five years and improve public services will deliver a long-awaited victory.

Outside the aspirants’ promises voters are far more concerned first with peace, then economic growth and jobs creation.

Jobs and peace. Those are the two things I wish for, said 38-year-old Murinda vending mobile phone spares and DVDs at a market stall in the middle class suburb of Avondale.

“Jobs and peace. Those are the two things I wish for,” said 38-year-old Murinda vending mobile phone spares and DVDs at a market stall in the middle class suburb of Avondale.

“My prayer is that there is peace after the elections and the economy starts functioning normally again.”

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Polling stations open at 7am (0500 GMT) and close 12 hours later.

Final results are expected with five days.

The elections will also chose lawmakers and local government councillors.

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