ZESN - Promoting Democratic Elections in Zimbabwe 4. NDI/IRI ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION FINAL REPORT (Cont’d) Electoral Issue Recommendation Prohibit the misuse of assisted voting. While actions to record instances of assisted voting to allow for an assistant of the voter's choice were positive developments in the 2018 elections, challenges to the secrecy of the vote and concerns over misuse of the accommodation remain. The ZEC should review and refine the regulations and procedures for assisted voting to limit the practice to very specific circumstances (such as for the visually-impaired) where assisted voting is permitted. 25. Results Management Adopt and publicize transparent procedures for the tabulation, transmission, and announcement of results. In order to enhance public confidence in the transmission and tabulation process, the ZEC should articulate the results management process in a fully transparent manner, verify the provisional results in real-time and release results in a timely fashion according to international standards. This should be complemented by political party and non-partisan observation of the results tabulation process. The ZEC should also establish clear procedures to permit transmission of polling site forms directly to Harare and publish polling station-level results for all elections, including the publication of V11 and V23a/b forms for presidential elections. 26. Due Process Foster an independent judiciary that endeavors to adjudicate fairly and justly through due process of law. To combat perceptions of political bias, the judiciary should implement reforms in line with the Bangalore Principles adopted in 2002. These principles provide standards for ethical conduct for judges and guidance to courts in developing frameworks for regulating judicial conduct. Electoral petitions should be fully adjudicated (including all appeals) in a timely fashion with written explanations of court decisions. 27. Complaints mechanisms Prosecute perpetrators of violence and other forms of political coercion. This includes the individuals responsible for the August 1 shootings of protesters. The chief of police should be required to report on the steps taken to ensure that full investigations are conducted in response to complaints of politically motivated violence, threats, and acts of retribution. Activate the provisions for an Independent Complaints Mechanism as enshrined in the Constitution to allow citizens to have a pathway for recourse if affected by the unprofessional conduct of the security services. 28. Media coverage Eliminate laws that impede constitutionally protected freedoms. Relevant bodies should initiate legal reforms to eliminate laws such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) that contravene the provisions in the 2013 Constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression and assembly, free media, and access to information. Foster a diverse, independent media environment representing a variety of political perspectives. To fulfill Section 160J of Zimbabwe's Electoral Act, which states that broadcasters and print publishers must ensure that all political parties and candidates are afforded equal media coverage during an election period, adequate media monitoring and enforcement mechanisms must be established and implemented. The ZEC must be provided with the resources for and be held accountable to establishing an effective Media Monitoring Committee to fairly assess media coverage of political parties and candidates in the election period. 29. Party Conduct Create an environment in which women can participate equally in the electoral process, without fear of intimidation and harassment. This includes the greater acceptance and promotion of female candidates and in all aspects of governance. Political parties should improve internal democratic structures and rules governing the selection of leaders and candidates, including the conduct of party primaries. Parties should aspire to mainstream women in the party hierarchy and facilitate their recruitment, training, and support as candidates for elected office. Enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates. The inclusion of an expanded Code of Conduct was a notable improvement to the Electoral Law under the May 2018 amendments. However, to support a more level playing field for political aspirants and an environment where citizens are free to vote without undue influence or coercion, enforcement of the Code of Conduct is essential. Institutionalize MPLCs as forums for dialogue and dispute resolution among and between political parties and the ZEC. MPLCs should provide political parties with the opportunity to raise concerns and for the ZEC to offer clear direction for redressing concerns at the national and local levels. Build capacity of political parties to institutionalize processes for monitoring elections. Ensure the effective recruitment and training of party agents with emphasis on developing mechanisms for the conduct of effective parallel vote tabulations and the party agent's role in obtaining copies of tally sheets following the completion of the counting process at polling stations. 74 REPORT ON THE 30 JULY 2018 HARMONISED ELECTIONS ZESN