cater for the run-off election should the need arise. It is recommended that the period between the first election and the possible run-off election be limited to not more than three (3) weeks. • Setting Election Dates: There is also a strong argument to be made to giving power to set all election dates to the Commission as opposed to giving such powers to an incumbent President. The alternative may be to have the date set by law. Either way, the power to set election dates would be removed from a person who will also be a candidate in the election and is therefore an interested party. The Commission must be in full control of the election process, and this should include setting the polling dates in consultation with relevant parties and state authorities. Fixing the election by law may present challenges in terms of implementation – for example poor preparations and other factors might cause delays which could make it difficult to meet a date set by law. ZESN believes that the power should be given to the Commission and not leave it with the President who, along with the ruling party, is an interested and therefore biased party. Separate Ballot Boxes • Clause 16 amends Section 52 of the Act to clarify that where there is more than one election held at the same time there must be separate ballot boxes at every polling station for the votes cast in each of the elections. Disclosure of Details About Ballot Papers • To promote further transparency in the process a new Section 52A is introduced by Clause 17 of the Bill to require the Commission to disclose specific details about ballot papers printed for each election. Such information includes where and when the ballots are printed, their total number and the number that has been distributed to each polling station (including special polling station, where that facility applies). The provision does not stipulate specifics as to when and where these disclosures must be made save for stating that it shall be done “without delay”. It is recommended that a specific time-period be stated, for example, that the disclosures should be made not more than fourteen (14) days before the election and also that the location of the disclosures must be specified as the constituency, provincial election centres or the National Command centre. In matters of this nature, to prevent circumvention of the law, timing and 26