No. Arising issue Conclusion Recommendation 16 Freeness and ― fairness of 2018 H a r m o n i z e d Elections - The narrative of fear punctuated by promises of a return of 2008 political violence (or even worse); denying political opponents humanitarian aid (food, agriculture inputs, livestock etc) and everything else they need for livelihood - and the threats of evictions from the land - have been the common political life in most Zimbabwean rural communities for the last decade. - This narrative is intriguing in that the intimidation, isolation and violence strategy has been similar and implemented almost at the same time across Zimbabwe. This points to a ―centreǁ where the concoction of political and electoral intimidation, isolation and violence is brewed and delivered throughout the electoral cycle by complementary structures, institutions and individuals that are rewarded through a well-resourced patronage system. - Often, the state has ceased to exist beyond the provincial levels. Political party functionaries - some of whom have been recruited within the civil service and traditional leadership - take charge of all the state welfare and livelihood support interventions from the province to the village level. As such, some poor and marginalized citizens, who are the majority of voters, have been heavily squeezed to give up democracy and political independence to secure their residential places and benefit from welfare and humanitarian aid. - Since 2008, through 2013 to 2018, majority of Zimbabwean voters, especially from the rural areas have voted under duress, with fear and desperation as common denominators. It is under such circumstances where the ―freeness and ― fairness of 2018 Harmonized Elections become heavily compromised. - Everything else recommended in this column with emphasis on creating platforms for stakeholders dialogues on constitutionalism - Promotion and public awareness of Constitution in all the 16 languages as stated in Section 7 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act 2013 - Reducing poverty levels/ vulnerabilities of poor and m a rg i n a l i s e d c o m m u n i t i e s i n Zimbabwe, to be food secure and selfsustain to reduce their susceptibility to political manipulation Table 3: Conclusions and Recommendations 8. OVERALL CONCLUSION ★ There were some improvements in the 2018 Harmonized Elections. The pre-election period was relatively peaceful with less incidents of overt violence. Political parties were given spaces to campaign and mobilize voters. There was a new, bio-metric voter registration process. This led to a completely new voters' roll administered by the election management body. The polling stations opened and closed on time. Results counting and announcement was also done on time and according to the law. 49