ZESN received reports of instances where prospective candidates for the local authority elections were rejected on the basis that they were registered to vote in wards different to the ones they wished to contest. This may be a pointer to the inadequacies in voter education for nomination prior to the commencement of the process. Presence of Political Party Agents In three quarters of the Nomination Courts where ZESN observed the process, political party agents and other observers were present. The MDC Alliance and ZANU-PF deployed agents most comprehensively across the country, followed by the People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC). Figure 9.1 below depicts the presence of party agents by political party. Political Party Agents Present MDC-Alliance ZANU-PF People's Rainbow Coalition NPF Other Dominant Party in the Area None 0 20 40 60 80 100 Fig 9.1: Presence of Party Agents at Nomination Courts by Political Party Presidential Candidates A record 23 candidates contested the 2018 presidential election. Only four of the 23 candidates are female. The number of Presidential candidates has significantly increased as compared to previous elections. In 2008, there were four candidates while in 2013 there were five. All Presidential candidates for the 2008 and 2013 elections were male. Figure 9.1 below shows a list of the presidential election candidates for the 2018 elections. Table 9.1: A lists of Candidates for the 2018 Presidential Election 1. 2. 3. Name of Candidate Busha Josepht Makamba Chamisa Nelson Chiguvare Tonderai Political Party FreeZim Congress MDC Alliance People Progressive Party Sex M M M 54 | P a g e