Appendix G decreased compared to the 2013 parliament, falling well below the 50 percent required by the Constitution. The parliamentary results currently give the ruling party ZANU-PF exactly two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly—the number required to amend the Constitution. However, the electoral courts have yet to rule on 17 petitions challenging the results to legislative elections. Of particular note, while the ZEC initially announced the ZANU-PF candidate the winner of the Chegutu West parliamentary seat, the commission has since confirmed in writing that the MDC Alliance candidate received the most votes. The court has yet to rule on a petition challenging this result. This delegation traveled to Zimbabwe approximately five weeks after Election Day, following: the initial announcement of the presidential results by the ZEC; the Constitutional Court’s decision on the petition challenging the presidential results; the inauguration of the president and two vice presidents; and the announcement of a Commission of Inquiry into the violence of August 1. While the delegation was in the country, the swearing in of the members of the Ninth Parliament occurred and President Mnangagwa announced a new cabinet. However, the process is not yet complete. The Constitutional Court has yet to release its full written ruling on the presidential petition, the electoral courts have yet to hear challenges to the results of several parliamentary and ward councilor elections, and the August 1 Commission of Inquiry has yet to be sworn in and conduct its work. As noted in the ZIEOM’s August 25 statement, Zimbabwe has not yet demonstrated that it has established a tolerant, democratic culture that enables the conduct of elections in which parties are treated equitably and citizens can cast their vote freely. As a consequence, Zimbabwe’s democratic trajectory is not certain, and the internaitonal community should remain vigilant and engaged in supporting the people’s call for a genuine transition. Building on its observations of the electoral process over the past five months and in the spirit of international cooperation, the ZIEOM has formulated recommendations to promote elections that are more credible and to more broadly expand the democratic space in Zimbabwe. In regards to promoting more inclusive, transparent and accountable elections, the ZIEOM’s recommendations include: • Implement reforms to ensure the ZEC is widely perceived to be an independent election management body capable of administering credible elections. • Promote substantive dialogue amongst political parties, including through more effective use of the multiparty liaison committees. • Create an environment for women to participate equally in all aspects of the electoral process—free from intimidation and harassment—including through greater acceptance and promotion of women candidates. • Enforce the constitutional mandate that prohibits traditional leaders from engaging in partisan activities. • Enforce existing laws that prohibit the politicization of food aid, agricultural inputs, and other social welfare benefits. • Strictly protect the constitutional right of citizens to peacefully assemble and protest. • Prevent the use of excessive force by state security in maintenance of public order. • Develop precise, transparent, accountable mechanisms for the timely transmission of election results. 87