a report from kam pala. >> reporter: the final campaign rally for the presidential elections are here in the capital. the main opposition leader and his supporters were met with tear gas fired by police as they tried to walk through the city center. police say he was held because he didn't stiblg stick to an authorisingd route and his diverse would disrupt businesses. his supporters don't see it that way >> the dictatorship is so scared of is, that they can't allow to be the supporters. >> reporter: the police say that when they took him, it was not an arrest. >> we have simply asked him and his campaign team to coordinate and harmonise his programs with the police. >> reporter: a short while later he was released and back on the campaign tram. in thursday's poll he is running against the incumbent president. he has ruled for 30 years and is seeking another five. this is the fourth time he has run against him. >> the election is because the process, the whole process is controlled by one candidate. announces what he wants therefore. >> reporter: yesterday's planned rally didn't happen