namely the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, the US Embassy and the British Embassy deployed observers to the Mutoko North and Chegutu East by-elections. 8.8. Role of traditional leaders In the run up to the by-election, ZESN reported on the partisan involvement of traditional leaders in campaigns and in food aid distribution in Mutoko North Constituency. The participation of the traditional leaders continued with some of the village heads (Sabhuku) reported to have been election party agents for ZANU PF. The map below shows malpractices in Mutoko North Constituency, including the reported deployment of Village Headmen as ZANU-PF agents at some polling stations. ZESN notes that the participation of traditional leaders in partisan politics is in contravention of the Traditional Leaders Act and Section 281 of the Constitution which clearly states that, “Traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or further the interest of any political party”. Partisan participation in politics compromises the constitutional duties of traditional leaders including resolving disputes amongst people in their communities. 8.9. Voting and Counting Voting went on peacefully throughout the day at polling stations where ZESN mobile teams visited or had static observers. In addition, counting was conducted in line with the prescribed procedures with results being immediately posted outside the polling stations and at the constituency collating centre. At all polling stations that ZESN observed closing of polling and counting, party agents who were present signed the V11 forms. 21