6.4 Expectations of ‘free and fair’ future elections Respondents accept that political parties routinely incorporate violence into their repertoires. There was no clear-cut sense that elections in 2011 (or later in the pending cycle) are realistically expected to deliver a violence-free political world. 55% of the respondents reckoned that the next round of elections would either be ‘hardly free and fair with major problems’ (25%), or ‘free and fair, with minor problems’ (30%). The roughly even split is complemented by 10% believing the elections will ‘not be free and fair at all’ – and only 16% trusting that they will be ‘completely free and fair’ (Table 18) [Q16A]. A comparatively higher level of optimism emerged in positioning forthcoming elections against the 2008 electoral background. 43% reckon the next round of elections will be more free and fair than the March 2008 elections, and 46% hope that they will be an improvement on the June 2008 elections [Q16B; Q16C]. Table 18: Expectations of ‘free and fair’ for the next round of Zimbabwean elections (All figures represent percentages) How free and fair do you expect the next general elections to be? Not free & fair at all Hardly free & fair, Free & fair with minor Completely free & fair major problems problems 10 25 30 16 Compared with March 2008, the next round of elections will be … More free & fair Less free & fair No difference 43 15 24 Compared with June 2008, the next round of elections will be … More free & fair Less free & fair No difference 46 17 19 Note: Table does not report on ‘don’t know’ or ‘refuse’ responses The survey respondents were probed (in open-ended questions) on what could be done to make the next round of elections free and fair [Q16D]. The answers were quite obvious. The need to restrict/eliminate violence and intimidation topped their list. The need to ensure peace in elections featured in much of these reflections. Their second most important proposed action was to allow regional and international observers and peacekeeping forces into central positions in the elections. The respondents also identified the need for the re-professionalisation of the army and police. These needs were corroborated through responses to a question on what the most important thing was that needed to change before Zimbabwe could embark on a next round of elections [Q53A]. Ensuring and maintaining peace and order, guaranteeing freedom of association, finalising the new constitution and ending political violence constituted the bulk of the ‘most important things to be done’. Additional prominent factors included the reform of electoral laws 54