Voters in Tanzania are due to go to the polls to elect the East African country's president and parliament.
President Jakaya Kikwete, who has been credited with boosting the nation's economy, is seen by many as a favourite to secure his second and final term.
His main opponents are Willibrod Slaa, a former priest, and university professor Ibrahim Lipumba, who say the government has failed to tackle widespread poverty.
Voters are also electing 239 lawmakers.
Zanzibar deal
More than 19 million people are eligible to cast their ballots when the polls open at 0700 local time (0400 GMT).
A total of 18 political parties are competing, with seven candidates vying for the presidency.
President Kikweke, of the governing CCM party, was elected with more than 80% of the vote in 2005 and is now expecting to win again.
On Saturday, thousands of his supporters danced and cheered during a rally in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam.
BBC News
