13 Figure 3. Percentage of constituencies reporting Comparison of the presence of militia: Indices of violence 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% no militia 40% militia 30% 20% 10% 0% Physical violence Gender violence Inter-party violence Intra-party violence Types of violence It should be pointed out here that interfering with assembly, movement and expression – attending political meetings, travel, and information - are much more direct interferences in the civic life of citizens than interference with association – wearing T-shirts and putting up posters. We would also comment that wearing T-shirts and allowing posters to be put up can convey a sense of normality, and that interference with these other freedoms is much more subtle and difficult to detect by observers. Table 15. Relations between presence of militia and various indices of basic freedoms. Interference Interference Wear Forced with with New insignia attendance travelling travelling residents Fearful of of own Put up at political into out of coming into expressing choice posters meetings constituency constituency constituency views No militia reported Militia reported Unable to read papers of own choice 83% 71% 62% 62% 33% 11% 83% 41% 81% 76% 80% 76% 65% 44% 96% 65% In general, the associations between the presence of militia and electoral irregularities, identified by our community monitors, are very disturbing, and wholly out of keeping with the kind of electoral climate expected under the SADC Principles and Guidelines. Furthermore, thee observations are in keeping with the reports from the press and the many reports of human rights groups in the recent past. The rule of law The operation of the rule of law during elections is obviously critical to the creation of a free electoral climate. Here we would once again drawn attention to the remarks of police spokesmen, who have commented that the police would carry out their duties without fear or favour. This was further alluded by the Commissioner of Police, in his recent press conference, when he drew attention to the arrests that had taken place in respect of the forthcoming elections. The reports National Constitutional Assembly: Election Climate Reports.