Mhondoro- Mubaira Registered Voters Supplimentary Voters' Roll 44% Main Voters' Roll 56% Figure 1: Comparison of Mhondoro-Mubaira Registered Voters A cursory glance of the two rolls that were used by ZEC during the by-election reveals that a close to half of those who were eligible to cast their vote in the by-election were drawn from the supplementary voters’ roll. This demonstrates the need enhanced voter education to motivate those citizens that are eligible to register to present themselves at their respective registration centres whenever registration is being undertaken. ZESN realises though, that the effectiveness of voter education efforts by both ZEC and CSOs accredited to deliver the same will only increase when the political environment allows for genuine and credible political contestation. 5. ELECTION CAMPAIGNS The Fourth schedule of the Electoral Act contains a code of conduct for political parties that when respected, helps create an enabling environment for the conduct of free and fair elections and a climate of tolerance in which electioneering activities takes place without fear or coercion, intimidation or reprisals. The fourth schedule of the electoral act also requires all political parties and candidates to publicly state that everyone has the right— (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) to freely express their political beliefs and opinions; to freely challenge and debate the political beliefs and opinions of others; to freely canvass freely for membership and support from voters; to freely attend public meetings convened. Although the pre-electoral period was largely calm and peaceful, ZESN observers noted that a significant number of FFP posters were defaced. This phenomenon was witnessed throughout the Constituency. ZANU-PF posters were the only ones that remained. This phenomenon demonstrates the absence of tolerance of opposing political viewpoints by 10 | P a g e