ELECTORAL ACT ____________________________________________________________________________________ (m) do any other thing that is defined in the Constitution, the Electoral Act or other laws of Zimbabwe as a corrupt and illegal practice or an offence; (n) abuse the right to complain to the courts by making false, frivolous or vexatious complaints. Conduct during polling period 7.(1) No political party or candidate may, from midnight twenty-four hours before polling day in any election or referendum until polling stations are closed on that day— (a) convene or hold a public gathering of any kind; (b) publish, or cause or permit the publication, of any advertisement or statement promoting or opposing a particular party or candidate; (c) disrupt the work of election officials at a polling station or counting centre; (d) campaign or display campaign material within 300 metres of a polling station or counting centre; (e) coerce a voter, who does not require assistance, to be assisted to vote. (2) On polling day in any election or referendum, all political parties and their members and supporters, and all candidates and their supporters, must— (a) co-operate with election officials to ensure that polling is peaceful and orderly and that voters are completely free to exercise their vote without being subjected to intimidation, annoyance or disturbance; and (b) generally, conduct themselves so as to respect the secrecy and integrity of the ballot. Announcement of result of election 8. No candidate, and no office-bearer or member of a political party, may purport to declare or announce the results of an election before it has been declared officially by an electoral officer. Respect for media and journalists 9. Every political party and candidate— (a) must respect the role of the news media before, during and after an election or referendum; The media and journalists must also abide by the Electoral Act (Section 160J) prescribing their conduct during the electoral process; and (b) may not prevent access by members of the news media to public political meetings, marches, demonstrations and rallies; and (c) must take all reasonable steps to ensure that journalists are not subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats or physical assault by any of their representatives or supporters. 10. (a) (b) (c) (d) Role of women Every political party and every candidate must— respect the right of women to communicate freely within parties and as candidates; and facilitate the full and equal participation of women in political activities; and ensure the free access of women to all public political meetings, marches, demonstrations, rallies and other public political events; and take all reasonable steps to ensure that women are free to engage in any political activities. Compliance – political parties 11.(1) Every political party, every candidate and all supporters, including organisations formally and informally affiliated to political parties, must comply with this Code and in the case of a political party or a candidate— 145