1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On 19 September 2015, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), at the invitation of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), observed parliamentary by-elections in Epworth, Marondera Central and Mbire constituencies. The seats fell vacant following the death on 9 June, 2015 of the ZANU-PF incumbent for Epworth constituency, Ambassador Amos Midzi; and the expulsion from ZANU-PF and subsequent recalling from Parliament of Ray Kaukonde and David Butau, former Members of Parliament for Marondera Central and Mbire respectively. ZESN deployed 62 observers comprising static (polling station-based observers), constituency and mobile observers to measure compliance with regards to the Constitution and electoral laws as well as to identify gaps in the electoral processes to enable informed advocacy interventions for electoral reforms. Media monitoring on reports of campaigns and other key electoral processes was done in the pre-election period in order to enrich the overall observation of the by-elections. The political environment remains heavily polarised with the culture of intimidation and threats to the electorate repeatedly being observed in some of the constituencies. ZESN notes that such practices have had a negative impact on electoral processes in Zimbabwe and reinforce calls for the need for comprehensive electoral and political reforms to ensure a level playing field for all electoral contestants The pre-electoral environment, though devoid of overt violent altercations, was marred by reports of voter intimidation in Marondera Central where representatives of one of the contesting political party 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 observers and interlocutors reported that in Mbire opposition political parties’ campaign posters were defaced. ZESN collaborated with ZEC in conducting voter education for voter registration, voter education for inspection and polling in Marondera Central in view of the polling stationbased voting that the Commission piloted in the constituency. ZESN also conducted voter education in Mbire and Epworth constituencies. ZESN observed the voter registration process in Marondera Central and Epworth constituencies. This gave the network an opportunity to assess the efficacy of the ZEC methodologies for implementing the polling station based voting system in Marondera Central as well as enable the network first-hand experience which will inform future advocacy on areas of improvement. Of concern was the observation of voters being led to register in blocks by ward secretaries of ZANU-PF in Marondera Central. This exercise not only compromised the right of the voters, but also served to instil fear among those citizens intending to participate in the by-election. At every polling station where ZESN observed, opening and setup procedures were successfully completed on time. Observers reported that all polling stations had all the 5|P a g e