3.2. The Social Environment The economic slowdown has affected the social fabric of the country. The family unit has been torn apart and the social nets that once supported families have broken down. Inequalities have increased with the gap between the rich and poor widening by the day. These inequalities among social classes the polarization of the classes have contributed to gross human rights violations that are witnessed today, be they social, political, economic and cultural rights. Unless these are addressed the country will continue to witness increased levels of poverty which might lead to social unrest and upheavals. 3.3. The Technological factors Since 2009 there has been a consistent increase in internet use. Internet penetration in 2009 stood at 5.1%, by the third quarter of 2013 it had grown to 39.8%. At the end of the third quarter of 2015, this number came to 46.6% and now stands at 50.1% of the population.9 This is still below the regional average internet penetration and more is still required to increase the coverage. It should, however, be acknowledged that the opening up of information centres in most cities of the country by the government has increased accesses to ICT for those who cannot afford and for those in remote areas. Establishment of a specific ministry shows government’s commitment to ICTs for all. The ZBC digitalisation provides an opportunity for access to TV and radio. The mobile penetration has been set at 106% but POTRAZ estimates that only 60% of the Zimbabweans are actually on mobile device or have multiple-active mobile SIM cards (Unique subscriber penetration).10 The Commission has an opportunity to ride on these figures to increase visibility of the commission and also use this as a media for increased awareness of human rights of the electorate during elections. The advancements in ICTs and ease of access has also provided the Commission with an opportunity to improve its case management system. Notwithstanding the foregoing progressive advancements in ICTs they at the same times conversely a negative connotation if unchecked. That is, they could also be an instrument for infringements of certain rights including the right to information, right to privacy, freedom of speech and expression durig elections. 3.4. The legal factors The Zimbabwe Constitution (2013) ushered in provisions that protect and promote human rights through its Bill of Rights. However, alignment of the constitution to the general laws is still lagging behind. The drawn-out process of aligning the electoral laws to the constitution will likely play an important role over the 2018 election cycle. The country has witnessed a piecemeal approach to alignment of the major laws to the Constitution leading up to the 2018 elections instead of expediting the process to ensure legal certainty. Subsequently this has led to delays in the alignment of the ZHRC Act to the Constitution thereby compromising the independence of the Commission. Furthermore, existing laws such as Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), and the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) affect the human rights situation in the country in terms of Chapter 4 of the constitution. They affect the rights of people to demonstrate, freedom of expression and assembly during the election period. Whilst a lot of work has gone into reforming the electoral laws and aligning them to the constitution much more still needs be done to ensure full and unfettered participation in elections by the citizens. The country is going into the coming tripartite election in 2018 with a miscued electoral framework that does not allow for the equal participation by citizens. 9 https://www.techzim.co.zw/2016/12/zimbabwes-internet-penetration-rate-stalls-50-1-will-governmentintervene/ accessed 29/11/17 time 14:18 10 https://www.techzim.co.zw/2014/11/60-zimbabwean-population-connected-mobile-potraz/ accessed 03/12/2017 11 | P a g e