process went on peacefully in all polling stations. ZESN observers reported a number of critical incidents that took place during the voting process. These included: - Voting slips The use of voting slips which were used in the harmonized election of 2013 showing that the Registrar-General‘s Office had not updated the voters roll as their names could not be found in the voters roll. This is a matter of concern as almost 6 months have elapsed since the last election and the Registrar-General‘s office have not been updating the voters roll. The voting slips cannot be authenticated hence voters not resident in the particular ward holding the by election can vote. In addition, there was a deadline given to the use of voting slips for the by election, only those whose slips were dates the 10th of July 2013 and below could vote. ZESN is concerned that this deadline for slips could disenfranchise some voters as voter registration is a continuous process in Zimbabwe and the deadline for the use of slips could disenfranchise those that registered after the Harmonized election of 2013. In addition, there was inconsistent use of the slips as some voters using slips were allowed to vote and others were denied access to the vote. - Deployment of riot police ZESN was concerned about the heavy deployment of the police in Harare’s Ward 12. While each polling station was manned by at least 5 police officers, the deployment of the riot police at Stodart Hall seemed unwarranted. - The role of the police in the polling stations ZESN observed different implementation on the role of the police in the different polling stations. In some stations, the presiding officers called the police officer to be inside the polling station and in some cases, the police men were stationed outside the polling station and they would only come inside the station when called in by the presiding officer. ZESN calls for uniformity of application of electoral laws. The same anomaly was observed during the harmonized elections of 2013. - Assisted voters ZESN observed confusion regarding the manner of assisted voters. This is similar to the problems that took place regarding assisted voters in the harmonized elections of 2013. ZESN observers have noted that even when a voter who needs assistance has brought in a person of their choice to assist, the presiding officer was present which eroded the secrecy of the vote. ZESN is of the view that if the assisted voter is sighted, they can see the candidate of their choice and indicate their preference using an X or even ink. Failure to write cannot mean inability to see the symbol of your party or the face of your candidate. Once a person can see the candidate of their choice they can mark their intention on the candidate of their choice thereby preserving the secrecy of their choice. 3|Page