Appendix B 77 In the densely populated urban areas of Harare, observers noted long lines in some polling centers, with confusion among some voters about which sub-polling place was theirs. That resulted in some people leaving the lines, including women with babies and those who had left children at home to be attended. There were also examples of people waiting in line for hours and finding out that they were in the wrong place, which perhaps could have been mitigated had voters lists been posted outside the stations. In some polling stations the official list of voters who were turned away for various reasons showed significant numbers. ZESN reported that at six percent of polling stations nationally 26 or more people were turned away from voting, while in Harare 19 percent of polling stations had such numbers of voters turned away. 5 The problems just noted did not appear as frequently to observers around the country. Our observers noted that the layout of most polling stations appeared to safeguard voting secrecy. ZIEOM observers noted instances of assisted voting in accordance with procedures. Assisted voting occurred infrequently except in one rural area where more than 50 voters had been assisted before midday. The counting process, though slow in many places, generally went well in the polling stations observed by ZIEOM. The count went well into the night in many locations. No examples of party agents refusing to sign tally sheets were observed, though tally sheets were not posted publicly at some polls even though that is required by law. RECOMMENDATIONS Appreciating that the electoral process is presently incomplete, the ZIEOM will consider offering further recommendations as appropriate in the days ahead and in its final report. In the spirit of international cooperation and demonstrating support for Zimbabwe’s continuing process, the delegation offers the following recommendations. 1) The ZEC should take immediate steps to ensure the public of its independence and political impartiality by completing the vote tabulation process for all presidential, parliamentary, and local elections in an open and transparent manner that is verifiable by the parties and the public. The ZEC should publish and timely update its Excel spread sheet populated with polling station results as the ZEC’s Chair said the commission will do. 2) If a presidential runoff is required, the ZEC should promote substantive and peaceful dialogue with the two presidential candidates throughout the runoff election period, for example in person and through more effective use of the MPLCs and civil society. Concerned international actors should promote open dialogue concerning matters that need to be addressed to conclude the process credibly and peacefully. 3) The candidates of the two major political parties should recommit personally and in public to their Peace Pledge and lead meaningful dialogue to complete credible, peaceful elections. Whether or not there is a runoff in the period ahead, such leadership will be important for safeguarding democratic rights, and sustaining peaceful political competition beyond these elections. 5 ZESN 2018 Harmonized Elections Preliminary Statement, July 31, 2018. 7