CRI听力:Zimbabwe holds historic election

Long queues have been forming at many of the 10-thousand polling stations across Zimbabwe.

The country's electoral commission says voter turnout has averaged 75 percent, higher than in the last vote in 2013.

Many voters see this election as an opportunity for change.

Tichaona Mufanyana, a voter in Harare's western suburb of Kuwadzana, says current president Emmerson Mnangagwa has brought many changes people had been longing since he took office last November, improving the business climate and creating jobs.

He says changes don't come overnight and Mnangagwa needs a five-year term to bring more positive changes.

"I think if we give him a chance in the next five years, Zimbabwe will never be the same again. He will do what he can."

This year has seen 23 candidates vying to be Zimbabwe's head of state and Mnangagwa's main rival is Nelson Chamisa, head of the country's largest opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change.

The 40-year-old is seen by many supporters as young, and they have high hopes in him to bring the changes they want.

Voter Chiwada says Mnangagwa and Chamisa each have their own advantages and disadvantages and he prefers a coalition government formed by the two parties.

"So what we are asking now is only the change of the country. If they share, if all of them work together, again we like it a hundred percent. If nothing happen, then we take them all off after five years."

Mnangagwa has been vowing to bring a free, fair and non-violent election and he has invited hundreds of foreign observers to monitor the election.

While taking an interview after casting his vote, Mnangagwa said the election itself is part of his efforts to brings changes to the country.

"I can assure you that this country is enjoying democratic space it has never experienced before."

94 year-old former president Robert Mugabe has also cast his ballot accompanied by his wife, Grace.

The voting has closed and the official result is set to be out on Saturday.

There will be a runoff on September 8th if no candidate wins more than half the votes.