PF4. As the country moves towards the 2018 elections, the ZEC must rigorously enforce the relevant regulations of the Electoral Act to ensure the compliance of the State media as well as to afford all contesting political parties and candidates equitable and balanced access to the media. 6. GENDER EQUALITY AND SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS 6.1. Gender Equality and Special Needs Groups Active participation of women, youth, civil society organisations and special needs groups in the electoral process constitutes a critical element for the deepening of democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. ZESN observed that a significant number of women participated in electoral process as voters, election agents, polling officers and citizen observers. While ZEC consistently gathers statistics on sex and age of voters at all the polling stations, this information however is not being shared with other electoral stakeholders. ZESN urges the ZEC to avail statistics that would help stakeholders deepen their understanding of women and men’s participation in electoral processes. 6.2. Female Candidates In keeping with trends in past by-elections, none of the contesting political parties fielded female candidates. This is a cause of concern because the trends are not reflective of the currently demographics in the country were women outnumber men in the overall population of the country as well as membership of political parties. There is need for Parliament and ZEC to devise incentives that can encourage political parties to support the candidature of women especially during the party primary elections. 4 http://www.chronicle.co.zw/zanu-pf-gears-for-chiwundura-by-election/ , http://www.chronicle.co.zw/campaignfor-chiwundura-by-election-in-full-swing/ , http://www.herald.co.zw/zanu-pf-hits-chiwundura-by-electioncampaign-trail/ 17 | P a g e