EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Catholic Observer: Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ) Report for 2018 Zimbabwe Harmonized Elections analyses Zimbabwe's 2018 Harmonized Elections using a combination of CCJPZ's long term and Elections Day observation reports - and the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act 2013, the Traditional Leaders Act (Chapter 29:17), the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) and the Social Teachings of the Church as baselines. The long term observation reports were produced every two months since the 2013 Harmonized Elections by 240 CCJPZ's long term situation monitors or observers from Zimbabwe's eight Dioceses. Election Day observation reports were produced by 850 men and women deployed by CCJPZ at marginalised and hot spot polling stations in all dioceses on the Election Day. Following the Electoral Cycle, this report tries to take a holistic approach to deduce an objective verdict of Zimbabwe's 2018 Harmonized Elections. It makes an evidence based analysis of the pre-election environment - beginning soon after the 2013 Harmonized Elections - the Election Day and the Post-Election Day. In both respects, the report tries to reveal positive experiences before, during and after the Harmonized Elections - and what could have been done better. It ends with a tabulated profile of matters that arose from the observation process, conclusions and recommendations. Positives of the 2018 Harmonized Elections ● There were minimum levels of physical violence during the Pre-Election period to the 2018 Harmonized Election. There was recognition by almost all contesting political parties that elections have been a source of Zimbabwe's violent conflicts. Commitment was made by all contesting political parties to avoid violence by signing the Peace Pledge facilitated by the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission. The pre-election environment was therefore relatively peaceful. ● There was a minimum use of oppressive legislation such as Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Public Order and Security Act as all political parties were relatively allowed relative free outreach and mobilization of voters. ● The government opened up to external election observers. International observers were invited to observe for a longer period. They completed their observation missions without confrontation with the government. ● There were some improvements in election administration and legal framework. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission assumed full responsibility of voters' registration and voters' roll previously done by Registrar General. The introduction of biometric voter registration was a milestone. The gazetting of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) signifies a promising future for Zimbabwe's electoral processes. ● ZEC's deliberate collaboration with organisations that have mass mobilization authority such as Churches - and the use of electronic, print and social media - for voter education and communicating voter messages was an effective strategy that reached a significant number of voters across the country. ● There were some commitments by ZEC to dialogue and engage on electoral issues with Political Parties, Faith Based Organisations and Civil Society Organisations through the Multi-stakeholder dialogue initiative. ZEC organized several meetings where stakeholders were invited for discussions and input into the electoral processes. ● The opening of polling stations, counting and announcement of 2018 Harmonized Elections results was done on time and in accordance with the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13). What could have been done better ● Political and traditional leaders' sincerity to the Constitution of Zimbabwe (No. 20) Act 2013 especially Chapter 4 and Chapter 15 - and other statutory frameworks such as the Traditional Leader Act (Chapter 29:17). ● As a largely Christian nation, adherence to the Social Teachings of the Church, especially respect for human life and dignity and respect for freedom of participation. Zimbabwe's 2018 Harmonized Elections could have been more interesting if political diversity, inclusion and cohesion were appreciated as positive values. iv