Zimbabweans line up near a polling station in Harare to <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2F2013%2F07%2F31%2Fworld%2Fafrica%2Fzimbabwe-election%2Findex.html%3Fhpt%3Dhp_t1">vote in a general election</a> on July 31, 2013 as President Robert Mugabe seeks to extend power to a potential 38 years.
Zimbabwe votes for president —
Zimbabweans line up near a polling station in Harare to vote in a general election on July 31, 2013 as President Robert Mugabe seeks to extend power to a potential 38 years.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe answers journalists questions after voting at a polling station at a school in Harare.
Photos: Zimbabwe votes —
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe answers journalists questions after voting at a polling station at a school in Harare.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Image
Mugabe,89, has been at the helm since 1980, the only leader the nation has known since it gained independence. His main rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, is the current prime minister.
Zimbabwe votes for president —
Mugabe,89, has been at the helm since 1980, the only leader the nation has known since it gained independence. His main rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, is the current prime minister.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
Chizema Najika, an eighty year old voter, arrives to vote at a polling booth in a school in Harare on July 31.
Zimbabwe votes for president —
Chizema Najika, an eighty year old voter, arrives to vote at a polling booth in a school in Harare on July 31.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
A policeman stands as Zimbabweans line up near a polling station in Harare. Zimbabwe was readying for an inadequately prepared yet tight election battle that could see President Robert Mugabe extend his 33-year grip on power.
Zimbabwe votes for president —
A policeman stands as Zimbabweans line up near a polling station in Harare. Zimbabwe was readying for an inadequately prepared yet tight election battle that could see President Robert Mugabe extend his 33-year grip on power.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
Some 6.4 million voters in Zimbabwe -- about half of the country's population --are eligible to cast their ballots Wednesday, according to the electoral commission.
Zimbabwe votes for president —
Some 6.4 million voters in Zimbabwe -- about half of the country's population --are eligible to cast their ballots Wednesday, according to the electoral commission.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
Zimbabweans arrive to vote at a polling booth in a school in Harare on July 31.
Zimbabwe votes for president —
Zimbabweans arrive to vote at a polling booth in a school in Harare on July 31.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
The elections is held under a new constitution endorsed in a referendum in March that limits the president to two five-year terms. Mugabe is allowed to seek another term because it does not apply retroactively.
Zimbabwe votes for president —
The elections is held under a new constitution endorsed in a referendum in March that limits the president to two five-year terms. Mugabe is allowed to seek another term because it does not apply retroactively.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
The polls will end an uneasy coalition government formed after violence broke out in 2008.
Zimbabwe votes for president —
The polls will end an uneasy coalition government formed after violence broke out in 2008.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
A man places his finger in a bottle of ink to stop fraud before voting at a polling station at a school in Harare.
Photos: Zimbabwe votes —
A man places his finger in a bottle of ink to stop fraud before voting at a polling station at a school in Harare.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai hold his portrait as they attend the final campaign rally 'Cross Over' on July 29 in Harare.
Zimbabwe votes for president - Mugabe or Tsvangirai? —
Supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai hold his portrait as they attend the final campaign rally 'Cross Over' on July 29 in Harare.
JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images
Zimbabwe's President and Zanu PF Presidential candidate Robert Mugabe speaks at a press briefing on July 30, 2013 at the State House, on the eve of Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary vote. Veteran President Mugabe vowed to step down if he loses the fiercely-contested election.
Zimbabwe votes for president - Mugabe or Tsvangirai? —
Zimbabwe's President and Zanu PF Presidential candidate Robert Mugabe speaks at a press briefing on July 30, 2013 at the State House, on the eve of Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary vote. Veteran President Mugabe vowed to step down if he loses the fiercely-contested election.
JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images