Polling station based voting ZEC piloted the polling station-based voting system in Marondera Central as the Commission prepares to introduce the system for the impending 2018 harmonised elections. ZESN observer reports noted the use of two voters’ rolls namely the polling station-based voters’ rolls and a supplementary roll based on the previous ward based voters’ rolls in the constituency. The use of the two voters’ rolls resulted in some electoral stakeholders questioning ZEC’s preparedness for the polling station based voting system and ability to implement the system on a macro level. ZESN notes that international best practice encourages the use of a single voters’ roll in order to enhance stakeholder confidence. Voter Intimidation ZESN received reports of voter intimidation in Marondera Central where political party representatives were allegedly recording the serial numbers at the back of registration slips during voter registration in a bid to intimidate voters and influence their voting preferences. ZESN notes with worry the continued reports of intimidation in elections in Zimbabwe as such actions have implications on how free people are to vote and subsequently the freeness and fairness of the election. There were also reports of the destruction of election campaign posters of opposition parties in Mbire constituency. Assisted voters ZESN observer reports continue to note significant numbers of assisted voters in isolated polling stations. Worrying reports of assisted voters were received from Makuvatsine Primary School, where a total of 91 people had been assisted to vote by late afternoon. Data disaggregation ZESN continues to observe the compilation of disaggregated data by age and gender and commends ZEC for collecting such crucial data that can inform voter education programmes and other electoral processes. Information dissemination ZESN observers reported that there was lack of uniformity in how ZEC officials were dealing with observers with some reportedly refusing to provide basic information requested by the observers while others were willing to provide the same information. There is need for ZEC to standardise the operations of the Presiding Officers so that their conduct is uniform at all polling stations. Role of the Police At all polling stations ZESN observed heavy police presence inside and outside the stations. Observers’ reports showed that some of the police officers were overbearing in their collection of information and were actively involved in assisting voters. ZESN notes that the polling stations may intimidate voters. The active involvement of the police goes against international best norms and standards where the role of the police is limited to maintaining law and order Political party agents 16 | P a g e