Voting in Zimbabwe general election delayed by lack of ballot papers

Voters queue to cast their ballots at a polling station in the Epworth suburb of Harare. Photograph: Tafadzwa Ufumeli/Getty Images

Delays have marred voting in Zimbabwe’s general election after a campaign dominated by the country’s interlinked economic crises.

Voting at most urban polling stations in Harare and Bulawayo began four hours late after polling officers failed to distribute papers for the council elections. Some polling stations were still to receive election material more than seven hours after polls opened.