ZANU-PF rally, under threat of having his house burnt down.58 There were accusations of the involvement of war veterans in intimidation, received by observers in Hurungwe, in Mashonaland West, as well as in Mberewegwa North in Midlands. Recommendation 11: Effective mechanisms should be introduced for monitoring and sanctioning of partisan behaviour by traditional leaders and civil servants, to help ensure the impartiality of state structures in the election. Incentives had been given to chiefs and some church leaders, who officially endorsed the ZANUPF campaign. Different sects of the apostolic church, for example, prophesised victory for President Mnangagwa and the ruling party gave them donations and used their mass ceremonies for campaign purposes.59 There is also evidence that people, including children and their teachers, were forced to participate in political rallies60 and school premises and properties were used for campaign purposes. Serious concerns regarding perceived or actual violations of the secrecy of the vote were also raised. EU observers reported on people (especially the elderly) being approached by individuals asking for voter registration slips and pretending that they would be able to follow their vote through the new BVR system. Such reports are consistent with findings of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations. Overall, these reported cases of intimidation and coercion violated the purpose and main principles of the Code of Conduct.61 MPLCs were established too late to effectively deal with violations of the campaign regulations and mechanisms for monitoring and sanctioning non-compliance with the Code were de facto non-existent. The main infraction prosecuted was the destruction of posters. Overall, campaign freedoms were largely respected and the campaign was peaceful. However, the series of short-comings in the pre-election period unduly impacted on the free expression of the will of the electors and taken together with the lack of equal opportunity, due to the abuse of state resources, the overall democratic character of the pre-election environment was undermined. C Campaign Finance The Political Parties (Finance Act) regulates financing of political parties. Each political party whose candidates received at least five per cent of the total number of votes cast in the most recent 58 Having suffered this fate in 2008, he complied rather than risk injury. On 14 July, at a mass Passover ceremony of the Johanne Marange sect, reportedly attended by more than 250.000 people, the President welcomed the prophecy about his election victory and promised to continue his support to the church. On 12 July, at the burial ceremony of the leader of another apostolic sect the government has reportedly donated 30 tonnes of rice to the community of the deceased religious leader. 60 Video evidence circulated on social media showing police and authorities preventing people from leaving a presidential rally in Bindura (Mashonaland Central), which was also observed by EU observers. EU observers reported similar cases in Chimanimani West (Manicaland) and Chinhoyi (Mashonaland West). There have been also some reports from EU observers of opposition campaign activities being obstructed, mainly at ward levels, by chiefs and headmen, for example in Gutu, Masvingo North, Mwenezi districts.in Masvingo Province 61 The Code’s purpose is to create “a climate of tolerance in which electioneering activity may take place without fear of coercion, intimidation and reprisals”. The Code includes stipulations that there should be: no violence; no intimidation, fear and bribery; balanced media coverage; freedom of movement; and no incitement to violence or hate speech. All political parties are required to inform their members about the Code, to supervise their compliance with it and initiate disciplinary measures in case of non-compliance. 59 22