challenges that independent candidates and smaller political parties continue to face when they try to participate in political processes. ZESN observed that campaigns for the RDZ and PDZ candidate were affected by limited resources whereas ZANU-PF campaigns were robust owing to the party and candidates’ access to significantly larger amounts of resources. For instance ZANU PF held a launch rally and consecutive meetings with high profile ZANU PF leadership of the party in attendance. Reports from ZESN observers showed that the environment was generally peaceful with no major incidences being reported. ZESN attributes this peaceful environment preceding the by-election to the low level of contestation for this by-election, as the new and poorly funded political parties were contesting against a dominant and well established political party. 8. GENDER AND ELECTIONS Zimbabwe is signatory to a number of declarations aimed at increasing women’s participation in top decision making positions and the Constitution affirms women’s equal participation. The active participation of women in critical processes such as elections is vital in the strengthening of democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. Of the candidates who successfully filed their nomination papers and contested in the byelection there were two men and one woman, signifying a 33% percent representation of women in the by-elections. ZESN observed that ZEC made compilations of data on voters that is disaggregated by age and gender and urges the Commission to share this information with relevant stakeholders including political parties and civil society to enhance focus of programming in the promotion of women and youth’s participation in electoral processes. ZESN notes that the women’s participation in elections continues to be hampered by a number of factors such as the fear of violence, intimidation, financial challenges in their bid to launch political campaigns and a number of inhibiting cultural systems. 9. ELECTION DAY OBSERVATIONS Opening and voting Procedures: At polling stations where ZESN observed opening, polling stations opened on time with adequate polling personnel and voting materials. According to reports by our observers they were an average of six polling officials at each polling station. ZESN observers reported that important voting procedures such as checking of names in the voters’ roll, marking of fingers with indelible ink and ensuring that voters cast their ballots in secret were clearly followed. 14 | P a g e