12 IRI/NDI Zimbabwe International Election Observation Mission Final Report Drawing on its observations of the electoral process, IRI and NDI’s comparative experience and in the spirit of international cooperation, the ZIEOM respectfully offers the following 11 priority recommendations to promote elections that are more credible as well as to expand democratic space in the future: Legal Framework • Continue to align the Electoral Act with the 2013 Constitution. Leveling the Playing Field • Create enforcement mechanisms for ensuring government resources do not serve partisan interests. • Introduce effective mechanisms to enforce the constitutional provision prohibiting traditional leaders from engaging in partisan activities. Transparency • Adopt more transparent and consultative procedures to build public trust in the ZEC and ensure ZEC is widely perceived to be a credible institution. Universal suffrage • Complete a constituency delimitation exercise not less than one year prior to the next election. • Foster a national debate regarding the issue of voting by Zimbabweans living outside the country. Elections Management • Adopt and publicize transparent procedures for the tabulation, transmission, and announcement of results. Media Environment • Foster a diverse, independent media environment representing a variety of political perspectives. Complaints Mechanisms • Prosecute perpetrators of violence and other forms of political coercion. Party Conduct • Create an environment for women to participate equally in the electoral process—free from intimidation and harassment. • Institutionalize MPLCs as forums for dialogue and dispute resolution among and between political parties and ZEC.