Chinomona to bid the constituency farewell. The rally which was held without incidents of violence or disruption was attended by an estimated 500 people mostly women. By contrast, no MDC Alliance key members visited the constituency to support the contesting candidate. While all the rallies were reported to have been held in a relatively peaceful environment, a few incidents of worrying remarks were reported. For example, at a rally held on 3 November 2018 in Dandara Village, Mutoko North Ward 6, one speaker reportedly said “Nzvimbo ino nyangwe zvikadii haitongwe neMDC” (come what may, this area will never be governed by the MDC). The constituency was also declared a ‘no go area for the opposition at some ZANU-PF rallies. At a meeting held by ZANU-PF on 30 October at Chitekwe Community Hall in Ward 12, intentions were expressed to follow up on the MDC Alliance team that was said to be holding a meeting at Madziwa Township during the night and giving money to supporters. Apart from rallies, campaigns were also done through the use of posters or banners on free sites; door to door campaigns; meetings (less than 100 people); t-shirts; wristbands; and wrappers for women (mazambia). With the exception of Wards 8 and Ward 12 where government vehicles were said to have been used for campaigning by ZANU-PF, there were no reported cases of the abuse of State resources. 7.2. Tearing of rival’s campaign posters In violation of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties, Candidates, and other Stakeholders, there were incidents of the tearing or defacing of campaign materials for rival candidates affecting both the MDC Alliance and ZANU-PF. 7.3. Media coverage of by-elections The ACHPR in Article 9 guarantees the right to access to information in order to empower the electorate on political and electoral processes to enable the electorate to participate from an informed basis. The media in all its forms is thus fundamental in promoting political, civil and political rights and liberties as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The media plays a critical role in electoral processes, providing information to voters and a platform for political parties and candidates while serving a watchdog function. Whereas Section 160J of the Electoral Act requires all media outlets both print and electronic to ensure that all political parties and candidates are treated equitable in the news media, there was a bias towards ZANU PF in the public media. There was little mention of the MDC Alliance and NCA candidates in public media, with news stories mainly covering rallies and campaign activities that were organised by ZANU- PF. Commendably, the media particularly the private media was able to cover electoral processes namely the primary elections, nomination court proceedings and election day processes. 17