Social media played a critical role in gathering and disseminating electoral information in this election having been employed by political parties, civic society and the electoral management body in voter education and mobilisation. The efficacy of social media was, however plagued by the proliferation of numerous fake user accounts that generated fake news, instigated hate speech and targeted abuse at perceived opponents in both political parties and civil society organisations. Recommendations: i. Political Parties: Leaders of the various political parties and political formations should continue calling for peace and tolerance of divergent political opinions in the post-electoral period. ii. The Government: should ensure that the Commission of inquiry into the events of August 1, 2018 is not hindered in its work and the Commission’s findings are made public. iii. The Electoral Commission: should convene a meeting with an array of electoral stakeholders to jointly review the electoral processes undertaken during the electoral cycle for the 2018 Harmonised Elections. iv. The Electoral Commission and Government should make public pronouncements against political retribution, discrimination on food aid, and other politically motivated human rights violations. v. The media: must thrive to maintain objectivity, balance and impartial reporting in its coverage of electoral issues and political parties. vi. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Zimbabwe Republic Police should collaborate in monitoring and investigating human rights abuses in general and specifically those that are politically motivated. Perpetrators of such violations should be arrested and prosecuted without fear or favour. 6 POST-ELECTION LONG TERM OBSERVER REPORT © September 2018