4. ELECTION DAY 4.1 Location, Structure and Operations of Polling Stations On Election Day the environment was calm and peaceful throughout the country with the electorate turning out in their numbers to cast their votes with an average voter turnout of 75% in most polling stations according to ZEC. The ZHRC observed during the pre-election period that ZEC undertook training of its Officers in the different Provinces, material for Election Day was in place and other logistical issues were attended to by relevant personnel at the polling stations visited. The ZHRC observed the opening of sealed postal votes during the counting of results at the polling stations observed. Polling stations were visibly marked with appropriate signage. A polling station in Beitbridge, Matabeland South Province. ZHRC observed some shortcomings which must be addressed for future elections. These include amongst others; some polling stations were difficult to access particularly for older persons and Persons with Disabilities owing to the structuring of stairs and lack of ramps; the tent polling stations faced difficulties of lighting and resorted at times to use of candles which were not sufficient to illuminate the polling station and this slowed the voting, and in particular the counting and verification Page 37 of 55