The Group was also informed that the use of social media to propagate hate speech had seen a spike during the campaign period. In the Group’s view, however, two major issues unfairly unlevelled the playing field. The first was the heavy bias of the state print and broadcast media in favour of the governing party. The second was use of incumbency privileges in a manner that unduly disadvantaged opposition parties. Conclusions: The Group was encouraged by improvements in the pre-election environment, especially in relation to the respect for freedoms of association and speech during the campaign period. However, the blatant state media bias in favour of the governing party, persisting reports of intimidation and undue use of incumbency privileges unfairly unlevelled the playing field. Election Day On Election Day, Commonwealth observers reported a largely peaceful process that was well managed and transparent. Voters turned out in large numbers, particularly at the outset of voting. Polling officials, who reflected a gender balance, were generally consistent in the application of procedures. Party agents, citizen and international observers were present throughout the country. Voters, a significant number of whom were women, turned out in large numbers, particularly at the start of voting. In some instances, gendered queues were created. The Group witnessed instances where women with young children, pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as the elderly, were given priority in the queues. We further witnessed incidents of assisted voting for disabled and elderly people. These were largely carried out in accordance with the ZEC’s established procedures. We commend the widespread use of polling booths for persons with disabilities in many of the polling stations we visited. The vote count at the polling stations was transparent, with party agents and citizen and international observers able to follow the process closely. It was, however, a laborious process, carried out by exhausted, yet dedicated and resilient, polling officials and attentive party agents, often in challenging infrastructure. Although the results process concluded during the Group’s period in Zimbabwe, concerns around access, transparency and the lack of clarity on key procedural aspects of this process was a point of note for the Group. Additionally, the lack of clarity and communication on the part of the Electoral Commission on the results declaration process was a source of concern, not only for the electorate but also observers. The Group is of the view that the tallying processes should be streamlined and simplified, while not compromising integrity and transparency of this process. xi