Assisted voters ZESN also noted insignificant numbers of assisted voters in most polling stations, attributed to illiteracy, old age and disability. For instance, some very low numbers of assisted voters were recorded. For instance at Fletcher secondary our observer reported that only one person (female) was assisted. The low number of assisted voters could be attributed to the low turnout that was observed in the by-election and the fact that some of the ward are situated in urban areas where literacy rates are higher. Redirected Voters At polling stations that ZESN observed, the number of voters who turned up at the wrong polling station and redirected to another were few. It was apparent in the number of redirected voters was higher in instances where different polling stations were cited at the same place, for instance at Mkoba Primary school there were two polling station located at the same school but in different classroom blocks. The two polling stations would be designated ‘A’ and ‘B’ hence a voter belong to Mkoba Primary School polling station A could turn up at Mkoba Primary School polling station B. Such phenomenon illustrates the need for robust voter education so that voters know the exact polling station where they are supposed to cast their vote. Polling Procedures and Conduct of ZEC Polling Staff ZESN observer reports revealed that all polling stations successfully completed setup and opening procedures by 7AM. At polling stations that ZESN observed, all the required voting materials such as ballot boxes, ballot papers, ZEC official stamp, indelible ink marker pens and the voters’ roll were available at the time of opening. All observed polling stations were adequately manned with an average of six polling officials, 50% of them being female. Political Party Agents At all polling stations where ZESN had observed, ZANU PF had party agents, while the NCA only deployed at very few polling stations and the other two parties, Free Zimbabwe 20 | P a g e