EU Election Observation Mission Zimbabwe Harmonised Elections 2018 9 Preliminary Statement Page 12 of 12 1 August 2018 Polling and Counting Reasonably well-managed and peaceful voting and counting process in polling stations, some queue mismanagement and results not posted in some instances On Election Day, EU observers reported from some 600 polling stations in 154 constituencies. The overall assessment of polling was positive with only nine polling stations assessed performing poorly/badly, while the rest was evaluated as good or very good. Polling stations mostly opened on time and voting was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere around the country, with long queues in many places, causing some organisational challenges. Observers reported that voting procedures were largely followed, with the secrecy of the ballot ensured in almost all of the visited polling stations. EU observers reported the presence of party agents in all of visited polling stations and domestic observers in 71% of visited places. EU observers also reported that in most places ZEC staff in polling stations worked extremely hard and diligently to process voters and that voters had a reasonable understanding of the voting process. Some intimidatory practices were also observed outside and around some polling stations. EU observers reported a high degree of assisted voting in some places and also of voters not finding their name on voter lists in some 22% of polling stations visited, indicating problems with the voter roll and/or voter awareness. In 28% of the polling stations visited voters were not always checked for ink and in 6 % voters were not always marked with indelible ink. The quality of the ink was also somewhat lacking. Observers also reported some challenges for election staff with poor lighting, particularly in polling stations using tents. Counting was observed in a total of 52 polling stations. EU observers reported that they were able to follow the counting of ballots without undue restriction in the presence of party agents and citizens observers. Counting was observed to be overall well organised, although very slow. Some problems in ballot reconciliation, in determining valid and invalid ballots, in completing the numerous originals of return forms and in packing election materials for the three elections were noted. EU observers reported that the results were not posted at the polling station in 10 out of the 52 polling stations observed. 10 Preliminary Conclusion The elections were competitive, the campaign was largely peaceful and, overall, political freedoms during the campaign, including freedom of movement, assembly and speech, were respected. However, the misuse of state resources, instances of coercion and intimidation, partisan behaviour by traditional leaders and overt bias in state media, all in favour of the ruling party, meant that a truly level playing field was not yet achieved, which negatively impacted on the democratic character of the electoral environment. More specifically, we will come back to these issues in our final report. An electronic version of this Preliminary Statement is available at: www.eueomzimbabwe2018.eu Contact us: Eberhard Laue, EU EOM Press Officer, Tel +263 784 563 707 or +263 716 333 950 Follow us: Twitter: @eueomzimbabwe / Facebook: @eueomzimbabwe European Union Election Observation Mission