IRI/NDI Zimbabwe International Election Observation Mission Final Report 43 Election Day Voting and Counting Eighty-five percent of registered Zimbabweans turned out on Election Day, demonstrating overwhelming interest in, and support for, participatory democracy. The polls were generally well administered in accordance with procedures, and more than 100,000 polling officials seemingly having received the requisite training. Poll workers also worked diligently in the presence of observers and political party agents, including a large number of women, many of whom served as presiding officers. The police performed their duties commendably. Non-partisan civil society monitors were also present in large numbers where the ZIEOM observed, in addition to party agents from both the ZANU-PF and MDC Alliance being present in most polling stations. ZIEOM observed a total of 210 polling stations and a summary of opening reports indicated that all stations opened on time with a smooth and orderly process following ZEC procedures.67 There were no reports of voters in line at the close of the polls or not being permitted to vote. ZIEOM observers noted that the polling station layout allowed for transparency of the counting process despite lighting issues in polling tents in several areas. The ZIEOM observers noted that the layout of most polling stations appeared to safeguard voting secrecy. Overall, 79 percent of the observers said that election officials followed procedures. However, in the densely populated urban areas of Harare, observers noted long lines in some polling centers, with confusion among some voters who could not find their polling stations. That resulted in some people leaving the lines, including women with babies and those who had left children at home unattended. There were also examples of people waiting in line for hours and finding out that they were in the wrong polling station or sub-station, which could have been mitigated had electoral lists been posted outside the stations. In some polling stations, the official list of voters who were turned away for various reasons showed significant numbers. ZESN reported that at 6 percent of polling stations nationally, 26 or more people were turned away from voting, while in Harare 19 percent of polling stations had such numbers of voters turned away.68 They also noted instances of assisted voting in accordance with procedures, albeit high numbers of assisted voting in some areas.69 The ZRP deployed approximately 71,000 police officers across the country to maintain peace and order at all polling stations and collation centers. Per ZEC procedures, at least five police officers were present at each polling station visited by ZIEOM observers. Voting by the military on Election Day was largely in compliance with the Election Law, as most soldiers had registered as voters either at polling stations in their home areas or at such polling stations adjacent to army barracks. The ZIEOM did not witness any polling stations set up in army barracks. 67 Eighty-five percent of teams reported the environment as calm, with the remaining 15 percent reporting a crowded but peaceful environment. A mid-day report based on call-ins from 16 observer teams indicated that overall, election officials seem to be following the voting procedures, although there appeared to be issues with overcrowding and seemingly minor deviations from the official procedures. Fifty-two percent of polling stations were reportedly calm with no crowding, while 46 percent were crowded but remained peaceful. A closing report based on call-ins from 14 polling stations indicated that 54 percent of the polling stations were calm, 38 percent were deserted, and 8 percent were crowded but peaceful. 68 Zimbabwe Election Support Network, ZESN 2018 Harmonized Elections Preliminary Statement, July 31, 2018, http://www.zesn.org.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ZESN-Preliminary-Statement-on-the-30-July-HarmonisedElections.pdf 69 ZIEOM observers noted 3 out of 5 voters in polling stations observed in Masvingo Province required assisted voting.