ZESN - Promoting Democratic Elections in Zimbabwe 2. AFRICAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION (AUEOM) TO ZIMBABWE 30 JULY 2018 HARMONISED ELECTIONS Electoral Issue Recommendation 9. Legal framework There is need to align and harmonise the electoral laws to comply with the Constitution. 10. Political Environment Continue to maintain the current open and free political environment, and all stakeholders must refrain from acts that may undermine the integrity of the electoral process or threaten the country’s peace and stability. 11. Women's participation Consider putting in place mechanisms to increase women's participation in the electoral process, particularly as candidates. 12. Media In light of the partisan and polarised nature of the media in Zimbabwe, consider full implementation of the Broadcasting Service Act and ensure equal access to the State Broadcaster to all contestants during elections. 13. Voters Register ZEC should avail the final voters register to political parties, candidates and other relevant stakeholders within a reasonable time to allow for a comprehensive voter audit and verification, as well as facilitate effective participation in the process. 14. Multi Party Liaison Committees ZEC should foster dialogue and consultation with stakeholders to enhance confidence in the electoral process and put measures in place to efficiently operationalise the Multi-Party Liaison Committee meetings to improve communication with stakeholders 3. COMMONWEALTH ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON ZIMBABWE 15. Ballot Papers To enhance the clarity of ballot papers, ZEC may consider printing the ballot papers in colour, as was the case with the Biometric Voters Roll. 16. Media Coverage Given that media monitoring reverts to ZEC after proclamation, it is recommended that ZEC considers putting in place a strategy to ensure balanced media coverage for all parties and candidates on public owned media (electronic and print). 17. Diaspora Vote The inclusion of the diaspora in the voting process will be a positive development taking into consideration that the Constitution stipulates that all Zimbabweans have the right to vote. 18. Voting Process Whereas the capping of voters at polling stations to 1,000 is a positive development, ZEC may consider increasing efficiency in casting of ballots by further reducing the number of voters per polling station. 4. NDI/IRI ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION FINAL REPORT 19. Legal Framework Continue to align the Electoral Act with the 2013 Constitution and secure the status of ZEC as a fully independent constitutional commission. 20. Level Playing Field Create enforcement mechanisms for ensuring government resources do not serve partisan interests and Introduce effective mechanisms to enforce the constitutional provision 82 prohibiting traditional leaders from engaging in partisan activities. 21. Transparency Adopt more transparent and consultative procedures to build public trust in the ZEC and ensure the ZEC is widely perceived to be a credible institution. The ZEC should employ a proactive communications strategy to provide critical information to stakeholders and that reinforces public confidence in its impartiality throughout the electoral process. 22. Political Parties Finance Amend the Political Parties (Finance) Act to promote transparency in political party financing. This includes regulations on reporting and expenditures and that are in line with international conventions. 23. Universal Suffrage Complete boundary delimitation exercise no less than one year prior to the next election. According to the 2013 Constitution, no constituency should have more than 20 percent variation in registered voters. To ensure inclusive consultation to increase public confidence in the boundary delimitation process, an independent, ad hoc, or permanent commission in charge of drawing the electoral constituency boundaries could be established. Align domestic law with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to ensure the right of all citizens to participate in political life. 24. Election Management and Administration Ensure ballot design and production is consistent with legal and regulatory framework. The presidential ballot is required by law to be arranged alphabetically, and regulations require that the candidates' names appear in a single column. The ZEC must ensure that ballot design is within the law and that changes to the design of the ballot are done in a consultative, transparent manner and do not provide a clear advantage to any single candidate. The ZEC should also permit the meaningful observation of ballot printing, storage, and distribution processes. 73 REPORT ON THE 30 JULY 2018 HARMONISED ELECTIONS ZESN