1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) monitored the human rights situation prior to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) primary elections that had been initially scheduled for 17 May 2018. Following a notification from the ZHRC of its intention to monitor the primary elections, the Secretary General of the MDC-T advised the ZHRC that the primary elections would be held on 17 May 2018. As a result the ZHRC deployed teams around the country on 14 May 2018. The elections were to select candidates to represent the party in national elections in the following categories: Council, National Assembly, Senate and Provincial Council Elections. The Secretary General of the MDC-T advised the ZHRC of the MDC-T party consensus building meetings in the 10 Provinces of Zimbabwe. As part of its constitutional mandate, the ZHRC deployed teams nationwide in order to fulfill the obligation to monitor and observe the general human rights situation in the country with particular focus on political rights and to monitor and record any human rights related matters which could occur before the party primaries. 2. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK Zimbabwe has no legislative framework on the running of political party primary elections and other activities. The Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13] guides the running of national elections. The ZHRC was guided by the following national, regional and international instruments that provide a basis for the holding of free and fair elections: 2.1. Constitution of Zimbabwe, (Amendment No. 20 of 2013) Section 67 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for the political rights of every citizen, that is, the right to free, fair and regular elections and to make political choices freely. 2.2. SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, 2014 The Guidelines provide that member states have an obligation to ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process by facilitating the deployment of representatives of political parties and individual candidates at polling and counting stations and by accrediting national and other observers/monitors. Page 2 of 16

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