HARARE, March 31 (Xinhuanet) -- A 54-year-old Gweru woman was arrested Thursday for violating the Zimbabwe's Electoral Act, which prohibits making gestures associated with a political party within 200 meters of a polling station.

    Chief police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said the woman was arrested for waving an open palm at people who were in the queue waiting to cast their votes.

    The open palm is the symbol of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

    "It is an offense to wear T-shirts with the symbol of a political party or to campaign within 200 meters of a polling station," he said.

    Very few cases of violation of the Electoral Act have been reported in the period leading to and during the election, as voters have been adequately educated on the electoral laws, he said.

    Supporters of the different political parties have also displayed a level of political tolerance during this election compared to previous ones when there were widespread cases of violence.

    Observers have commended the general peace and tranquillity that prevailed in the country during the run-up to the elections and expect that this will continue after the announcement of the results.

    "The elections are peaceful. It's normal. Very little irregularity has been found," P. Mlambo-Ngcuka told Xinhua, who isleader of observer mission of Southern African Development Community.

    Voting started at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) as scheduled at most polling stations throughout the country with people heeding the call by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to go early to vote.

    The election will be conducted in one day and counting should begin soon after polling closes at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT), with the announcement of results expected to go on until Saturday. Enditem