A deserted polling station early on election day in Harare. After Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, withdrew from the run-off presidential poll the contest had just one candidate - Robert Mugabe, the autocratic incumbent.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's name remained on the run-off ballot papers because electoral authorities ruled that his withdrawal from the poll came too late for it to be removed.

Zimbabweans line up to vote at a polling station in Harare. "If possible, we ask you not to vote today," Morgan Tsvangirai wrote in a final letter to supporters before the election. "But if you must vote for Mr Mugabe because of threats on your life today, then do so."

A woman carrying her son casts her vote at a polling station in Harare. Local election observers abandoned plans to monitor the 9,231 polling stations after the authorities denied accreditation to all but 84 of them.

Some fear that ruling party militants will check to see if they have voted, by looking for an indelible ink-stain on their finger - proof that they have participated in the election

Polling stations in areas where support for Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC is high were quiet

A queue of voters wait at a polling station in Harare. Evidence obtained by civil society and church groups in Zimbabwe suggested the state apparatus had planned intimidation during Friday's vote to ensure Mr Mugabe triumphs on a high turn-out.

Robert Mugabe casts his vote in an election in which he is the only candidate. The president appeared with his wife at Highfield Township, on the outskirts of the capital.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe surrounded by journalists after casting his vote in Harare. Asked how he felt, he told journalists: "Very fit, optimistic, upbeat," before being driven away.