ARMED police and soldiers have set up roadblocks across Zimbabwe ahead of today's "poll" – the sham election in which Robert Mugabe is standing as the only candidate.
Police stopped vehicles on roads in the country's central and eastern provinces, searching vehicles and checking papers in what was claimed to be a search for weapons.
Mr Mugabe, 84, told a final rally in Harare's dormitory town of Chit
ungwiza he would defy African countries pushing him to postpone the vote.
He said: "I know some people are gearing themselves for an attack on Zimbabwe. I want to see any country which will raise its finger in the European Union. Our elections have been free."
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) withdrew from the run-off vote on Sunday after supporters were told they would be killed if they voted for him.
The MDC claims at least 86 supporters have been killed since Mr Tsvangirai beat Mr Mugabe in the first round of elections on 29 March.
Yesterday, Mr Tsvangirai said Mugabe was "self-destructing", adding: "He has run a one-man show, he wants to run a one-man race". He forecast voters would be "frogmarched to voting stations by force" as Mr Mugabe attempts to claim he has won the popular vote.
Mr Tsvangirai added: "There could be a massive turnout because of the role of the military and the traditional leaders to force people to these polls."
With hours to go before the "poll" began, there were clear signs fear was spreading. State radio – the voice of Mr Mugabe's government – reported another 250 people had formally "defected" from the MDC in Harare North constituency.
ZBC radio has been telling listeners that Mr Tsvangirai is still a candidate.
The full article contains 300 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
