Currently, there have been reports of unfair food aid distribution, threats of violence, intimidation and assault cases. Village Head Zvekuitirwa of Nechitima Village, Ward 3 is distributing food aid on partisan basis, skirting opposition supporters. There is also an increase in the number of strangers found in most wards which is scaring community members with some participating in the destruction of opposition candidates’ campaign material. In addition, traditional leaders are taking an active role in political communication and campaigning. For example, during the week ending 13/11/2016, Village Head Zvekuitirwa served a notice at a funeral at Chidhakwa family homesteads, clearly instructing all registered voters to bring their voters’ slips to his house so that he, together with Elizabeth Karasau (ZANU PF Ward Chairlady) count them as true ZANU PF supporters before poll date. In some cases, traditional leaders have issued instruction for their subjects to go and vote in groups and to remember their ballot paper serial numbers. Given that the Norton by-election was relatively peaceful, there is a possibility of low level overt violence in the upcoming Chimanimani West by-election. However, the fact that upon the electoral loss of ZANU PF candidate, Ronald Chindedza, in Norton, the ZANU PF leadership pledged to win any upcoming by-elections by any means possible. This gives room to violence and intimidation especially if among the contesting candidates, there is a skewed vantage against ZANU PF’s designated candidate. In the past, if ZANU PF loses an election, as was the case in 2008 March, the remedy involves intimidation, force and harassment of the electorate as was the case in the 2008 June presidential runoff. 5