There is a message of hope for a new future from all the Zimbabweans. The country’s political climate changed erratically since last November. But it will take a lot of effort to confidence in the people that these elections can usher in a new democratic dispensation. Thus, efforts will be required to restore the public’s faith in the country’s institutions. This required the 2018 harmonized elections the courage of breaking with the past. ZEC needed to be inclusive, transparent and accountable and this it could do if it allowed reforms and adhere to the letter of the law and create a result of a peaceful election “consistent with the SADC guidelines, which call for elections to be peaceful, but also “free and fair, transparent, and accountable”. The signs to date are not encouraging. There are important improvements in the political environment, but the fairness questions of the process still linger. In addition, the questions about trust need to be addressed beyond mere promises. Zimbabwe’s history has been characterised by violence. The current government assumed power not through a normal election process but through a coup, and hence a lot is required to address the widespread perception of fairness. This should be premised on the credibility of the upcoming elections and that responsibility is squarely of political parties and candidates running for office, the institutions mandated to provide oversight, and all those who vote on election day. However, there are several positive developments have occurred since the last polls to vote in a national election in 2013.    Committing to Credible Elections – President Mnangagwa has publicly and repeatedly committed to holding credible elections. He signed the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. These represent important departures from the past and the conduct of the former president when it came to elections. Improvements in the Political Climate –Zimbabweans claim that the country’s political climate has improved, with opposition parties already holding rallies around the country and citizens expressing their political views more freely. E.g. Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance held a June 5 rally in central Harare and at the same time the police denied a permit on the same day for a competing ZANU-PF rally to avert clashes. Welcoming International Observers – President Mnangagwa has allowed a broad range of international organizations to observe elections in Zimbabwe, including many that were previously prevented from doing so. Some organisations received accreditation 10