Table of Contents
1.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 5
2.
THE OBSERVER GROUP ......................................................................................................................... 8
3.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE BY-ELECTIONS ............................................................... 8
4.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE BY-ELECTION ........................................................................................ 9
5.
OBSERVATION METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 9
6.
OBSERVATIONS ..................................................................................................................................... 9
6.1.
Administration of the Elections ........................................................................................................ 9
6.2.
Civic and Voter Education ............................................................................................................... 10
6.3.
The Voters’ Roll ............................................................................................................................... 11
6.4.
Pre-Election Political Environment ................................................................................................. 12
6.5.
Intimidation..................................................................................................................................... 13
6.6.
Freedom of speech ......................................................................................................................... 13
6.7.
Freedom of Association .................................................................................................................. 14
6.8.
Freedom of Assembly ..................................................................................................................... 14
6.9.
Female Candidates .......................................................................................................................... 14
7.
ELECTION CAMPAIGNS........................................................................................................................ 14
7.1.
Investment in and visibility of campaigns ....................................................................................... 14
7.2.
Tearing of rival’s campaign posters ................................................................................................ 17
7.3.
Media coverage of by-elections ...................................................................................................... 17
8.
ELECTION DAY OBSERVATIONS ........................................................................................................... 18
8.1.
Ballot papers ................................................................................................................................... 18
8.2.
Voter turnout .................................................................................................................................. 18
8.3.
Assisted voters ................................................................................................................................ 18
8.4.
Redirected Voters ........................................................................................................................... 19
8.5.
Polling Procedures and Conduct of ZEC Polling Staff ...................................................................... 19
8.6.
Women and Special Needs Groups................................................................................................. 19
8.7.
Political Party Agents and other Observer Groups ......................................................................... 20
8.8.
Role of traditional leaders............................................................................................................... 21
8.9.
Voting and Counting ....................................................................................................................... 21
9.
MUTOKO NORTH BY-ELECTION RESULTS............................................................................................ 22
Source: ZEC .................................................................................................................................................. 22
1