5.6 Allegations of political intolerance were raised in Dangamvura/Chikanga and Hurungwe West, where candidates alleged that their posters and campaign materials were being pulled down by supporters of competing candidates. In Hurungwe West political agents for both the independent candidate and the ZANU PF party accused each other of pulling down posters. At Boka Shopping Centre in Chikanga, an election agent for Freedom Front Party complained that the ZANU PF supporters were removing their campaign posters at Sheni Primary school and the team proceeded to Sheni Primary School. Indeed three people were removing posters from the school durawall and they said they were instructed by the ZANU PF Ward Chairpersons to remove all the posters because they were too close to the polling station i.e. less than 300m radius from the polling station. It was later learnt from the Presiding Election Officer at Dangamvura Beit Hall that in such cases the Political parties had the responsibility to remove their own posters and not those of the other political parties. 5.7 Some polling stations, especially the mobile/tent set up, were ill – equipped for use by election officials and agents. The ZHRC teams noted with concern lack of basic necessities like water and sanitation facilities for convenience. Some mobile toilets were made available about a day after the officials had already camped while water supply concerns were not addressed. 6 ELECTION DAY 6.1 The mandate of the ZHRC Observers in relation to the by – election was to evaluate the degree to which the secrecy of the ballot was guaranteed and ultimately the respect for the general human rights in this regard. The ZHRC Observer Teams were able to be at their respective polling stations before the opening of the voting process and witnessed the preparations before the voting process began. 6.2 The observers had spent the previous two days familiarizing themselves with the location of the different polling stations in their respective constituencies. All teams reported being able to be at the first polling stations in time to observe the opening procedures. Observers noted that the commencement of voting was Page 9 of 15