Rambidzai Nyabote of Zimbabwe National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). The Chegutu East Local Authority by-election was also contested by three candidates namely, Patricia Mapfurira of the NCA, Tichaona Muchenje of the MDC Alliance and Obert Mutandinda of ZANU PF. 4. LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE BY-ELECTION The legal framework that governs elections in Zimbabwe includes the Constitution, Electoral Act, Statutory Instruments, and Regulations. The by-elections were held within the period stipulated by the legal framework which sets polling dates to comply with both Sections 158(3) and 159 of the Constitution, and Section 39 of the Electoral Act, that require voting in a by-election to be completed within 90 days after a seat falls vacant. 5. OBSERVATION METHODOLOGY ZESN observed the pre-election period leading up to the 24 July Mutoko North Constituency by-election. 11 LTOs were trained and deployed to observe pre-election processes and the environment. The LTOs had checklists to guide data collection and standardise reporting. The Network further trained and deployed observers to all (54) polling stations, all (11) Ward Collation Centres, and at the Constituency Collation centre. On Election Day, ZESN deployed 76 static and mobile observers to Mutoko North Constituency and 7 observers comprising static and mobile observers to the Chegutu East Local Authority by-election. The STOs were furnished with checklists to guide the collection of relevant data. The questions on the checklists tracked the Election Day processes from the arrival of polling officers and polling station set up to the counting and collation of results at polling stations and ward and constituency tally centres. The observation was conducted in line with the Electoral Laws of Zimbabwe, the Revised Southern African Development Community (SADC) Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections as well as other regional and African election guidelines and principles. 6. OBSERVATIONS 6.1. Administration of the Elections In terms of Section 239 of the Constitution, ZEC is mandated to conduct and supervise elections and election-related activities. Generally, the preparations for the by-elections were conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Law. ZESN LTOs in Mutoko North and Chegutu East Ward 16 reported that the Commission completed administrative and 9