largely subscription to ZANU-PF policies. 11 There has been widespread concern expressed in the media and by civil society activists that this was designed to facilitate direct recruitment of unqualified ZANU-PF youths into the security forces.12 Human Rights Watch investigations also indicate that recruitment into the army, CIO, and prisons services clandestinely takes place through ZANU-PF aligned provincial governors across the country, all of whom are appointed by President Mugabe on the ZANU-PF platform.13 ZANU-PF has become riddled with factionalism and severely weakened by internal infighting over succession to Mugabe, who has led the party since 1977. Increasingly the party has relied on the security forces to confront political opposition, and intimidate and coerce voters into ensuring a ZANU-PF electoral victory. The security forces have over the years become crucial to ZANU-PF’s survival. Reforming the security forces is essential both for leveling the political playing field prior to the elections, but also for ensuring that following the elections the security forces will act in an impartial manner. The timing of national elections is governed by Zimbabwe’s 1979 Lancaster House constitution, which provides that parliament, unless dissolved earlier, shall last for five years, counting from the day the person elected as president enters into office.14 Mugabe was sworn in on June 29, 2008, and the presidential and parliamentary term of office ends on June 29, 2013, with fresh elections constitutionally required to be held no more than four months after that date, that is, by October 29, 2013.15 The new constitution states that the timing of the coming elections will be governed by the Lancaster House constitution.16 “Army changes recruitment policy,” The Herald, May 14, 2012, http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41391#.UOTvMM08tUU (accessed November 20, 2012). Previously entry academic qualifications required for a general duty soldier were at least five ordinary level passes, including English Language and Mathematics at Grade 'C' or better. ZNA Recruitment policy, http://www.zna.gov.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=48. 11 12 In announcing the change to recruitment policy, Maj. Gen. Martin Chedondo said: “Now that soldiers are being recruited from every village, we want to see a village that will go against national values. We will not tolerate sellouts who would want to share the national cake with foreigners who were once our enemies and attackers.” “Army changes recruitment policy,” The Herald, May 14, 2012, http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41391#.UOTvMM08tUU (accessed November 20, 2012). 13 Human Rights Watch interviews with three army officials familiar with the recruitment process, Harare, February 20, 2013. 14 Former Constitution of Zimbabwe, (Lancaster House) 1979, art. 63(4). 15 Ibid., as amended by the Amendment Act, No. 19, 2009, art. 58. 16 Schedule to the gazetted Draft Constitution, April 2013. 11 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH │ MAY 2013