★ However, the narrative of fear punctuated by threats 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/home - have been the common - and normalized' - 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 point 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 traditional leadership, civil and security services - 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 compromised to give up democracy and political independence to secure their residential places and benefit from welfare and humanitarian aid. ★ This means that since 2008, through 2013 to 2018, majority of Zimbabwean voters, especially from the rural areas have voted under duress. Fear and desperation have been the common denominators. This has happened in a context where lack of media reforms has prevented other political parties from effectively engaging with the electorate using the electronic media. This has also happened in a situation where the election management body has been casual in implementing some of the electoral reforms. These include continuous and adequate provision of voter education in all languages stated in the constitution and timely provision of voters' roll among others. It is under such circumstances where the ― freenessǁ and ― fairnessǁ of 2018 Harmonized Elections was heavily compromised. 50