FACTBOX: Quotes from Zimbabwe's crucial election

(Reuters) - Zimbabweans voted on Saturday in the most crucial election since independence from Britain in 1980, with veteran President Robert Mugabe facing the biggest challenge of his 28-year-rule.

Below are some quotes from voters, presidential candidates and election officials:

PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE

"Why should I cheat? The people are there supporting us. The moment the people stop supporting you, then that's the moment you should quit politics."

MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, leader of main opposition MDC faction

"I want to assure you that the people's victory is assured, despite the regime's attempts to subvert the people's will.

We are absolutely confident that the outcome will be in favor of the people."

TENDAI BITI, secretary general of main MDC faction

"The issue which is going to be problematic in the elections is the number of voters being turned away. We have done surveys in (five Harare constituencies) and we have realized that hundreds of people are being turned away."

PRINCE MATSIKA, an elderly man who says he has voted in all past elections since independence

"I have been turned away because they say my name is not on the voters' roll. It doesn't make sense because I have never failed to vote before."

ERIC JEKE, gardener huddling in a small group at bonfire outside a polling station

"I came here an hour ago thinking they would be lots of people and was surprised to find just a few. I hope more people will come and vote because this is a very important election."

THEMBANI NCUBE, 38, employee of an NGO in Bulawayo

"This time, there are very few people, that is why I'm actually perturbed."

ANDREW MAUNGA, voter at a Bulawayo primary school