The legislative framework on elections in Zimbabwe is silent on procedures for political parties to undertake elections. However, ZHRC was guided by the following national, regional and international instruments that provide a basis for the holding of free and fair elections; 2.1. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment No. 20 of 2013) Section 67 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment No. 20 of 2013) provides for the political rights of every citizen, that is, the right to free, fair and regular elections and to make political choices freely. 2.2. SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, 2014 The Guidelines provide that member states have an obligation to ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process by facilitating the deployment of representatives of political parties and individual candidates at polling and counting stations and by accrediting national and other observers/monitors. 2.3. The Constitutive Act of the African Union (2002) (The Constitutive Act): Under the Constitutive Act, the African States have committed to promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance. This also includes promoting and protecting human rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and other relevant human rights instruments. 2.4. The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance (2007): Under this Charter, the African Union Partner States commit to: i. Promote adherence, by each partner state, to the universal values and principles of democracy and respect for human rights; ii. Promote the holding of regular free and fair elections to institutionalize legitimate authority of representative government as well as democratic change of government; iii. Promote the establishment of the necessary conditions to foster citizen participation, transparency, access to information, freedom of the press, and accountability in the management of public affairs; Page 4 of 22