Voter education commenced after proclamation, with voter education for nomination and then voter education for polling. The ZEC used radio, television, and social media as primary platforms for voter education information dissemination. ZEC also deployed 4 voter educators per ward who moved door to door conveying voter education messages. ZEC distributed flyers, posters, and pamphlets on voter education. The messaging focused more on polling day processes and procedures and less on the secrecy of the vote. Civil society organisations also complemented efforts of the ZEC in voter education. CSOs conducted road shows in partnership with the ZEC. CSOs also used social media, and radio (adverts and radio shows) for voter information and education dissemination. Posters, flyers, pamphlets were distributed, and bill boards were also used for information dissemination. f) Media The Constitution of Zimbabwe in Section 61 (3) provides that all state-owned media of communication must be impartial and afford fair opportunity for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions. Section 155 (2) (d) of the Constitution provides that the State must take all appropriate measures including legislative and must, provide all political parties and candidates contesting an election or participating in a referendum with fair and equal access to electronic and print media, both public and private. Section 160 of the Electoral Act provides for regulations concerning the conduct of the media during the electoral period, as well as media monitoring by the ZEC to ensure equity, fair, balanced and unbiased coverage of political parties and candidates during the election period. The Act further provides that the news media should avoid language that encourages racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice, hatred, incites violence, and lead to undue public contempt towards any political party, candidate or class of persons. The Mission however observed that coverage of political parties on the public broadcaster was not equal. The ruling party enjoyed more airplay than other parties. Opposition political parties in some cases were covered in the negative. Section 160K of the Electoral Act provides for the ZEC to monitor the Zimbabwean news media during elections. A committee was established by the ZEC to monitor the media. However, opposition political partied decried the high costs of advertising on public media. Reports by the Committee were not public for transparency. g) Campaigns and Political Party Rallies Subject to the Constitution, every citizen has the right, (b) to campaign freely and peacefully for a political party or cause. Generally, campaigns were conducted in a peaceful environment. Political parties could campaign in all areas. Incidents of intimidation and violence that were recorded were very low. The Mission observed the last rallies of ZANU PF and MDC Alliance, were they noted high levels of tolerance and orderliness. 16