Intimidation topped human rights violations in Bikita West before and during the by-election with a 58%. Intimidation in Bikita West involved the use of threats of violence or punishment such as withdrawal of food aid and farming inputs as well as use of actions meant to instil fear among citizens. These forms of intimidation were mostly issued during party rallies, at growth points, during food distribution points and some were directed to individuals physically. The purpose of intimidation in an election is to instil fear so that the electorate vote under the influence of terror in favour of the predator. Partisan distribution of food aid and vote buying using public resources including food and farming inputs3 has been a characteristic feature in Bikita West ahead of the elections recording 21%, ranking second from intimidation. The ZANU PF candidate Beauty Chabaya and her campaign team distributed food aid and farming inputs from the government which they openly said it was only ZANU PF members to benefit. The government has in the past refuted that food aid is being distributed in a partisan manner but the problem continues unresolved.4 Heal Zimbabwe is cognisant of the fact that election candidates are allowed to distribute their own resources as part of the campaigning. However, hijacking and partisanly distributing public resources is a violation that psychologically and emotionally inflicts pain among those denied food aid or farming inputs. Winning an election as a result of manipulating people’s choices by using aid is against the spirit of democratic elections espoused by SADC guidelines and principles among other best practice instruments. Some villagers in Bikita West constituency were also forced to attend political gatherings and meetings. This violation recorded 12% of the total violations observed from the 1st of January 2017. Forced attendance was done through force-marching people, using traditional leaders to call for meetings and through door to door visits. The constitution in section 67(2a) specifies that every citizen has the right “to form, to join and to participate in the activities of a political party or organisation of their choice” yet in Bikita people were threatened with violence if they do not attend rallies. They were told that if they do not attend, they will have 3 Unfair/ partisan distribution of aid (food/farming inputs) refers to the distribution of aid on the basis of political affiliation rather than on the basis of equality and fairness. Vote buying refers to the distribution of or rewarding with material benefits or promises of benefits with an intention to influence one’s voting behaviour in an election. 4 NewsDay (2016) ZHRC blast Zanu PF over partisan food aid distribution: https://www.newsday.co.zw/2016/09/08/zhrcblast-zanu-pf-partisan-food-aid-distribution/ 6