The elections passed off peacefully, but the opposition and observers said it was not free or fair.

As he cast his ballot, 81 year old President Robert Mugabe dismissed as “nonsense” claims that the poll would be rigged.

A total of 120 seats are being contested.

The early results show the MDC retaining seats in its strongholds of Bulawayo, Mutare and Masvingo. 30% of the 120 seats are appointed by President Robert Mugabe. 1 thousand polling officers and election monitors were fired hours before the election.

Turnout was weak at between 30% and 40%, said chief elections officer Lovemore Sekeramai.

The country has a population of 12 million. With years of corruption, fighting, land seizures, and drought, life expectancy is 34 for men and 33 for women. The unemployment rate is 70 percent.

Tallying of votes could take up to 48 hours. Two British journalists were arrested and there are few international observers in the country.

A 22 year old is keeping a blog about life in Harare (the capital) and the election.