ZESN Report on the 31 July 2013 Harmonised Elections In addition, some women were shut out of the process altogether as a result of difficulties arising from the documentation required for proof of residence. Generally houses in urban areas are not registered in the name of the wife, and women had great difficulty obtaining independent proof of residence. These strict requirements were eased in the last 30 days of voter registration, but such information was not readily made public. In addition, many women had difficulties obtaining affidavit forms necessary to complete the revised residency requirements. ZESN observed with dismay that there were fewer women participating as candidates for National Assembly seats, with only 44 women out of a total of 420 candidates from the two main political parties, ZANU PF and the MDC-T. The parties are also governed by the new Constitution that prescribes equal representation in section 17. ZESN noticed the systematic exclusion of women as candidates within all political parties, and the reason given was that women should all be represented under the 60 seats specially allocated to them. This represented a great injustice towards women leaders in all political parties fielding candidates in the 2013 elections and ZESN calls upon the leadership of the political parties to rectify this in future. On another note, ZESN applauds ZEC for offering women the opportunity to be leaders in election management, as presiding and polling officers. Also noteworthy is the fact that the chairperson of ZEC is female. ZESN observers reported that the majority of polling officers were women, women also actively participated as observers. This can be attributed to increased awareness of the role of women by civic and government partners. Election Observation Section 40 of the Electoral Act provides that observers can be accredited to monitor all aspects of the poll, particularly the process on Election Day. Observers are required to bring any irregularities to the attention of ZEC and share with it their thoughts and recommendations as expressed in their final election review. Statutory Instrument 85 has also broadened the aspect of elections that accredited observers can observe. This includes equal access by the contesting political parties to the state media and other national resources. In a positive move, the Act also now provides that observers should also measure the degree of impartiality shown by ZEC as it discharges its duties. The amended law provides for Observer Accreditation Committee to consider applications to observe from local and international individuals and organisations. Observers are invited to observe elections after being vetted by the Observer Accreditation Committee, which comprises five ZEC commissioners, including the chairperson and her deputy, one person from the office of the President and various government ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and the minister in charge of immigration, the Minister of Home Affairs. On 21 June ZEC announced that it had established a 10-member observer accreditation committee comprising five commissioners and representatives from the above ministries, and a representative from the President’s office. 56 | P a g e