ZESN Report on the 31 July 2013 Harmonised Elections disenfranchised women candidates. FINAL ASSESSMENT AND CONCLUSION The table below provides ZESN‘s assessment of the election process using the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections as the benchmark for the 2013 harmonised elections. Table: 21 SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing the Conduct of Democratic Elections Clause 2. 1.1 Full participation of citizens Clause 2.1.2 Freedom of Association Clause 2. 1.3 Political tolerance Compliance Partial compliance Non-compliance Reports of intimidation and reminders of 2008 violence militated against the full participation of citizens. There was improved freedom of association with the exception of rural areas where people were warned against supporting opposition parties with threats of violence. While the situation was better than 2008, hate speech persisted and intimidation during the primary elections ,members of the MDC formations were threatened, harassed and 77 | P a g e