The Electoral Environment Political Intimidation in Mashonaland, Manicaland and Harare “In many of the rural areas they (ZANU PF supporters, youth militia and war veterans) don’t have to beat people up anymore, they simply have to maintain a presence without having to beat anyone up.” – MDC Secretary General, Welshman Ncube, Human Rights Watch interview, Harare, December 2004. Section 2.1.3 of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections urges SADC member states to adhere to the principle of political tolerance.60 In line with these principles, recent statements made by President Mugabe and senior government officials that the elections will be free of violence are welcome.61 However, Human Rights Watch documented numerous incidents that point to a marked lack of political tolerance in the provinces of Mashonaland and Manicaland, and in the high density areas of Harare. Human Rights Watch interviewed Zimbabweans in parts of Mashonaland, Manicaland and Harare who described high levels of intimidation in parts of the country. Supporters of the opposition MDC and civil society activists in all three areas reported to Human Rights Watch that they were regularly harassed and threatened by ZANU PF supporters. They stated that police and Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) officers routinely followed members of the opposition MDC party and civil society organizations.62 Those individuals Human Rights Watch interviewed also consistently reported being forced to attend ZANU PF rallies and meetings by ZANU PF youth, and being labeled as opposition supporters if they refused to attend. Opposition activists informed Human Rights Watch that they were still unable to campaign in some parts of rural Mashonaland.63 60 SADC Guidelines and Principles Governing Democratic Elections, 2004 61 “ZANU PF to perform better,” Herald online, February 21, 2005 62 Human Rights Watch interviews with opposition and civil society leaders, Harare and Bulawayo, December 2004 and February 2005. 63 Human Rights Watch interviews with civil society activists, opposition members, candidates and supporters, Harare and Bulawayo, December 2004 and February 2005. 14