The Group noted that although the final results were delivered by the Electoral Commission within the legally stipulated timeframe, the communication and engagement strategy of the commission did not foster an atmosphere of confidence or trust. As recommended earlier, given Zimbabwe’s history relating to delayed announcement of results, consideration should be given to amending the Electoral Act, including to stipulate a shorter timeframe within which the ZEC should announce results. Conclusions: The voting process, including the count at polling stations, was credible, peaceful and inclusive. With the aim of streamlining the exhausting and laborious counting process, an overall review of the procedures of the ZEC in the conduct of elections, especially on Election Day, should aim to reduce complications and align its prescriptions and practices with the constitutional stipulation in Section 156(a) that ‘whatever voting method is used, it is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure and transparent’. Post-election phase Commonwealth observers assess every election in its totality: the pre-election environment, Election Day and the immediate post-election phase while observers are still in the country. The post-election violence that occurred on 1 August, leading to the tragic loss of lives, was regrettable. The conduct of security officers in using excessive force against citizens exercising their right to protest, violated Zimbabwe’s democratic values enshrined in the 2013 Constitution, and is a setback for these elections – which had hitherto been conducted in a largely peaceful and much improved environment. Additional incidents continued to erode citizens’ trust and confidence in the electoral process, especially in relation to the participation rights of all stakeholders. These included the raiding of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance’s offices and the heavy handedness of the security forces in disrupting the press conference of the leader of the MDC Alliance, even before it had commenced in the same hotel as the Group was located on 3 August. These incidents, and the protracted manner in which the ZEC released the results, which also fuelled tensions, rendered the post-election environment tense and volatile. The Group notes that, while its report was being finalised, the leader of the MDC Alliance launched a challenge against the outcome of the Presidential Election in the Constitutional Court on 10 August. The case, which was heard and decided after the Group had departed Harare on 6 August, does not form part of our observation. However, we commend the pursuit of electoral grievances through established legal channels. This reflects leaders’ commitment to the rule of law and democratic values. We draw attention to our recommendations in Chapter Three of this report xii