Mugabe faces biggest challenge in Zimbabwe election

By Cris Chinaka

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's security forces went on full alert on Friday to quash violence during the most crucial election since independence, with President Robert Mugabe facing the biggest challenge of his 28-year rule.

In one of his last rallies before Saturday's poll, Mugabe struck a familiar theme, mocking the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and attacking former colonial power Britain.

"This is a vote against the British. The fight is not against the MDC ... the MDC is just a puppet, a mouthpiece of the British," he told 6,000 people on the outskirts of Harare.

Mugabe blames sanctions by Britain and other Western nations for the collapse of the economy in his once-prosperous nation, now suffering the world's highest inflation, at 100,000 percent, a virtually worthless currency, and food and fuel shortages.

Opponents blame his policies for ruining Zimbabwe.

Army and police chiefs say they will not accept an opposition victory, stoking accusations that Mugabe will use the power of his incumbency to rig the election.

Zimbabwe's state-owned Herald newspaper said on Friday an opinion poll indicated Mugabe would be re-elected with about 57 percent of the vote. Analysts said this could be a way of preparing the population for a Mugabe victory.

The survey itself was not immediately available but it was conducted by a university lecturer regarded as sympathetic to the government.