10. CHEGUTU EAST LOCAL AUTHORITY BY-ELECTION RESULTS The Chegutu East Local Authority by-election was won by Obert Mutandinda of ZANU PF who polled 326 votes as compared to 89 and 13 garnered by the MDC Alliance and NCA candidates respectively. There were two rejected votes in the Ward. 13 Chegutu East Local Authority 89 Mapfurira Patricia NCA Muchenje N Tichaona MDC Alliance Mutandinda S Obert ZANU PF 326 Chegutu East Local Authority by-election results 11. RECOMMENDATIONS I. ZEC should ensure that registration centres at least at the provincial or district level are open throughout to ensure continuous voter registration as prescribed by law. II. Contesting political parties and candidates must endeavour to comprehensively deploy party agents in elections to enable them to authoritatively monitor and make informed assessments of the electoral process. III. Government should enforce Section 281 of the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders’ Act to deter traditional leaders from active participation in partisan politics as this comprises their constitutional mandates as provided for in the law. Therefore, there is need to tighten the provisions on the role of traditional leaders vis-à-vis the electoral process. IV. Chapter 12 institutions should investigate partisan food distribution, damaging of political party campaign materials and hate speech during campaigns. There is need for enforcement mechanisms. 24