Voting has ended in Mauritania in a presidential election clouded by claims of fraud and intimidation. In the capital, Nouakchott, turn-out was high and voting peaceful, but the opposition claims the polls are being rigged. Armed police were patrolling the streets as voting took place. Casting his vote, President Maaouiya Ould Taya said no country had more transparent elections. Supporters of opposition candidate Ahmed Ould Daddah in the east of Mauritania say polling stations were closed at 0900, just two hours after they opened, and that the opposition ballot papers were not available for voters. These reports have not yet been independently confirmed. **No observers*** Taya, who arrived at a Nouakchott polling station in a Mercedes flanked by 14 motorcycle outriders, wearing a pinstripe suit and gold-rimmed sunglasses, said the election was fair. "The ballot box is transparent, the voting list is on the Internet... and the cards can't be falsified," he declared. Foreign election observers have not been invited and the polls are being organised by the interior ministry, which has rejected the fraud allegations. One voter in the capital said: "It is not the voting that is a problem but the counting". On the eve of the poll, Islamic opposition candidate Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla was detained, in what he said was "just part of the ongoing intimidation". Police are believed to be still holding two sons of Mr Haidalla and a number of his close associates. State Prosecutor Mohamed Elgheiz Ould Oumar accused the group of planning to "change the government by violence and insurrection" and warned that Mr Haidalla could be re-arrested "at any time". The accusation has been denied by the candidate's team. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Opposition candidate Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla was detained on the eve of polling but released in time to vote and dip his finger in indelible ink so he cannot vote twice. (AP)