ALL IN ALL, THIS DATA ON THE INTERFERENCES WITH BASIC FREEDOMS SUGGESTS THAT A CLIMATE OF COERCION, FEAR, AND INTERFERENCE WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS WAS WIDELY REPORTED ACROSS ZIMBABWE. THE SUGGESTIONS OF THE CREATION OF “NO GO” AREAS, TOGETHER WITH THE REPORTS OF COERCION AND INTERFERENCE WITH BASIC FREEDOMS, DO NOT SUGGEST A CLIMATE OF “FREENESS” IN LINE WITH THE SADC PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES GOVERNING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS. Political Violence Physical politically motivated violence is not as widely reported as in past elections, but any physical violence is unacceptable in terms of the SADC Principles and Guidelines. It is important to stress here that political violence is not synonymous only with physical violence, but, in a country that has experienced high levels of physical violence in the past, must also reflect various other forms of violence such as hate speech, threats, and intimidation2. We should also point out that one of the most serious forms of current intimidation – threats about access to or deprivation of food in a time of drought – are not included here, but are treated separately due to the seriousness of this irregularity. According to the reports received, 90% of constituencies reported various forms of political violence. Torture was widely alleged during the pre election period, [40%] of those tortured being MDC members, [14%] were Zanu PF, Civics [6%] and others [8%]. Torture under any circumstances is unacceptable but for it to be widespread during an election period is a serious cause of concern. Table 5 shows the types of actual physical violence that are alleged to have taken place and, as can be seen assaults were the number violation reported. Table 5. Types of political violence reported. Violation % of reports. Abduction 8 Assault 35 Attempted murder 8 Death threats 21 Displacement 13 Murder 5 Property-related violation 13 Sexual assault 11 School closure 6 Torture 17 Unlawful arrest 22 Unlawful detention 13 Table 6 [see over] shows the alleged perpetrators of this violence. As can be seen, the victims were mostly MDC members but ZanuPF members were also attacked in some constituencies, as well as members of civic organizations and ordinary members of society. 2 Here see our comments in the section below dealing with the relationship between the election climate and the results. National Constitutional Assembly: THE 2005 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION. FLAWED, UNFREE AND UNFAIR!