ZESN - Promoting Democratic Elections in Zimbabwe Recommendation Purpose 11. Media and Elections 11.1 Enforce legal provisions of the existing laws that regulate the conduct of state owned media. 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Zimbabwe Broadcasting Authority should be transformed into a truly independent institution that effectively and impartially regulates public, private and community broadcasters. ZEC should ensure timely media monitoring in future elections and set up adequate mechanisms to ensure compliance with provisions that promote fair, equitable and balanced coverage of political players. There is need to put in place mechanisms of monitoring hate speech and fake news on social media around the electoral cycle. The ZEC media monitoring report should be shared widely Recommendation 12. People with Disabilities 12.1 The ZEC should ensure mechanisms are put in place to facilitate voting by people with disabilities and to do so in secrecy. 12.2 Public buildings should be made accessible to all citizens. Recommendation 13. Election Observation Mission Reports 13.1 Election observation mission reports should be published timeously, at least within three months after an election and should be made public. 13.2 Election observer missions should closely monitor implementation of recommendations to ensure that they are effected before the next elections. To ensure political candidates receive, balanced coverage by media outlets. To ensure political candidates receive, balanced coverage by media outlets. Targeted Institutions parties and equal and state owned parties and equal and state owned The Government Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Zimbabwe Media Commission. The Government Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Zimbabwe Media Commission. To ensure political parties and candidates receive, equal and balanced coverage by state owned media outlets. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission To support the improvement of the electoral playing field. The Government Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Zimbabwe Media Commission. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Zimbabwe Media Commission. To promote fail and balanced reporting on elections. Purpose Targeted Institutions To ensure secrecy of the vote. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission To ensure that citizens with disabilities are able to access buildings where various electoral processes are conducted. The Government of Zimbabwe Purpose Targeted Institutions To promote transparency and build confidence in stakeholders, particularly citizens. SADC, the AU, and COMESA To ensure compliance with regional and international standards and best practice. Election observer missions 70 REPORT ON THE 30 JULY 2018 HARMONISED ELECTIONS ZESN