ZANU PF continues to be the only party able to actively campaign throughout the rural areas of the provinces—where the majority of Zimbabwe’s population still lives.64 The MDC was able to campaign in some parts of the Mashonaland provinces such as Chinhoyi, but many of the rural parts of the provinces remained ‘no-go’ areas. Persons living in these areas told Human Rights Watch that the opposition was unable to freely campaign and MDC supporters were not free to show their political affiliation.65 In areas such as Murehwa and Mutoko in Mashonaland East, well known members of the opposition including MPs were allowed to operate, but supporters and lower ranking members faced constant threats, intimidation and at times assault from ZANU PF supporters particularly the party youth, war veterans, and members of the youth militia.66 One local human rights monitor described the situation in her home area of Zvimba in Mashonaland Central province: “The opposition has no chance to campaign. Only the ruling party is campaigning. MDC supporters are there but they are not showing themselves.”67 She described witnessing a group of war veterans assault a man wearing an MDC bandana (head tie) in October 2004: “The war veterans asked him why he is wearing an MDC bandana. “You are not allowed to put on those things.” When he tried to answer them they started hitting him and they burnt his bandana.” In Murehwa, a local driver explained, “The MDC can’t openly show themselves here. They are afraid after the violence that happened here in 2000 and 2002. They have small secret meetings but that’s all… If they showed themselves they would definitely be attacked. Only senior MDC people can show themselves here. Not just supporters.”68 In Mutoko, a ZANU PF supporter admitted that while there was peace in the area, the likelihood of violence would increase if the opposition campaigned openly. He said, “Things are very quiet here. There are two MDC candidates contesting the elections (in two of the constituencies in Mutoko) and they are doing so peacefully. Around the town centre the majority are MDC youth supporters but they can’t show themselves or hold public meetings. It is still very tense.”69 64 Human Rights Watch interviews with ZANU PF and MDC supporters, human rights activists, church representatives and lawyers, Harare and Bulawayo, December 2004 and February 2005. 65 Human Rights Watch interviews provinces of Mashonaland Central, East and West, February 2005. 66 Human Rights Watch interviews with ZANU PF members and supporters, MDC supporters, NGO representatives, human rights activists, Harare and Mashonaland, February 2005. 67 Human Rights Watch interview, Chinhoyi, February 17,2005. 68 Human Rights Watch interview, Murehwa, February 14, 2005. 69 Human Rights Watch interview, Mutoko, February 14, 2005. 15