Figure 1 MDC supporters attending a rally in Tongogara, Shurugwi Midlands Province 4.2.2. In Dangamvura Chikanga, aspiring candidates conducted door to door campaigns. In Mutare South, two opposing factions were carrying out campaigns which led to the use of hate speech, against each other. The use of inflammatory slogans has the potential of inciting political violence by political parties. This violates the national objectives enshrined under section 10 of the Constitution which stipulates that the State, and every person, including juristic persons, and every institution and agency of government at every level, must promote national unity, peace and stability. 4.3. Consensus building 4.3.1. In Provinces such as; Mashonaland West, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Harare Metropolitan and Matabeleland North, the ZHRC was advised that the Party’s preferred candidate selection criteria was based on consensus as opposed to voting by Party members. According to officials interviewed in Mashonaland West Province, the Party position was informed by the “divisive nature” of primary elections which had led to the Party losing a significant number of seats in the 2013 elections. However, the Party’s preferred consensus method had the effect of stifling dissenting voices in wards where some candidates would have preferred to get the endorsement of the electorate. A Consensus Guiding Template was used by the candidates involved in the process who would sign after agreeing to certain terms. These templates served Page 6 of 16