The Observers Accreditation Committee (OAC) is widely perceived as exerting undue influence on the ZEC. Stakeholder sentiments are that observers will only be invited to observe electoral process when none of the members has raised an objection 17. Ballot papers design, printing, and distribution is provided for under Section 52A of the Electoral Act. The ZEC is required under Section 52A (2) to provide, without delay, information to all political parties and candidates contesting an election, and to all observers— a. where and by whom the ballot papers for the election have been or are being printed; b. the total number of ballot papers that have been printed for the election; and c. The number of ballot papers that have been distributed to each polling station. The ZEC contracted Fidelity Printers for the printing of Presidential and National Assembly ballots and Printflow to print local council ballot papers. The selection process of the two companies raised concerns as it was not done through an open tender process. In essence, it eroded stakeholder confidence in this process. The ZEC printed 6 150 950 Presidential, 6 150 950 National Assembly, and 5 036 250 local authority ballot papers18.In keeping with international best practice, ZEC only printed, for contingency purposes, additional ballot papers that constituted 8 % of the total number of papers needed for the 2018 harmonized elections. The design, printing, and distribution of ballot papers, on the other hand, became a contentious issue during the pre-election period with the MDC Alliance at one point threatening to boycott the elections. In response to sustained pressure from electoral stakeholders, ZEC invited political parties, the media, and observers to tour the printing facilities and witness a demonstration of how ballot papers would be printed. However, efforts by the ZEC to improve transparency in this area failed as stakeholders were not permitted to ask questions and were unable to see clearly as they observed the process from a distance of about 20 meters from the printing machines. The ZEC, therefore, missed an opportunity to address myths, fears, and misconceptions that stakeholders had at the time regarding the ballot paper design, printing and distribution. Stakeholders, including ZESN, expressed concern over the design and layout of the Presidential ballot paper which did not conform to provisions of the Electoral Regulations of 17 See <http://www.zesn.org.zw/wp-content/_protected/publications/publication_308.pdf > http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zec-reveals-ballot-paper-stats/ 18 29 | P a g e