TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Executive Summary 1 II. Introduction 4 III. Political Background 4 IV. Legal Framework 5 A. B. C. D. 5 6 6 8 V. International Principles and Commitments The Constitution of Zimbabwe Electoral Legislation Electoral System and Constituency Delimitation Election Administration 9 A. Role and Structure of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission 9 B. ZEC Management of the Electoral Process 10 VI. Voter Registration 14 A. The Right to Vote B. Voter Registration 14 14 Registration of Political Parties and Candidates 17 VIII. The Election Campaign and Pre-Election Environment 19 VII. A. The Election Campaign B. The Pre-Election Environment C. Campaign Finance 19 20 23 IX. International and Domestic Election Observation 24 X. Media and Elections 25 A. B. C. D. 25 26 27 28 Media Environment Legal Framework for Media Media Regulation for the Election Campaign EU EOM Media Monitoring XI. Participation of Women 30 XII. Participation of Persons with Disability 31