ZESN Report on the 31 July 2013 Harmonised Elections Set-up of Polling Stations 95% of ZESN observers reported polling stations were open by 7:30 am with essentially all polling stations open by 9:00 am. ZESN observers report that by 7:00 am, the official opening time, ballot boxes were at 100% of polling stations; ballot papers at 97% of polling stations; the ZEC official stamp at 94% of polling stations; indelible ink at 94% of polling stations; and the voters roll at 99% of polling stations. By 9:00 am, MDC-Tsvangirai had polling agents at 96% of polling stations and ZANU-PF at 98% of polling stations. MDC (Ncube), however, had polling agents at only 48% of polling stations (predominantly Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Harare). All other political parties combined had polling agents at 46% of polling stations. Across the country, polling stations averaged nine ZEC staff with on average six female ZEC staff in urban polling stations and five in rural polling stations. At 83% of polling stations police officers were stationed inside polling stations despite the fact they are allowed to be inside polling stations at the invitation of the presiding officer. ZESN observers reported that 98% of polling stations were set up so that voters could mark their ballot in secret. However, 12% of polling stations were not easily accessible, including for people with disabilities. This problem was equally prevalent in urban and rural wards. At 100% of polling stations the ballot box was shown to be empty before they were sealed. However, at 8% of polling stations an accounting of ballot papers was not done as part of the setup procedures. Voting 90 | P a g e