Freedom of Association
It was reported, for example in Wards 6 and 12, that people were not free to wear their
respective party regalia. In Ward 4, people were cautioned that they risked losing their
property if they voted for an opposition party. People also choose to associate with the
ruling party so that they do not risk losing out on aid that is deliberately politicized. As
observed in the run up to the 30 July 2018 Harmonised elections, food aid is being
distributed along partisan lines. At a rally held on 3 November 2018 in Botsanzira Village,
those who would vote for the MDC Alliance were cautioned that they risked losing their
lives. It was also reported that those seen participating in activities of the MDC Alliance
would not get any benefits from government programmes. At the same rally, it was
reported that a speaker warned that blood would be spilt if people were to vote for the
opposition which was blamed for the suffering that people are currently going through.
Conclusion
ZESN continues to observe developments and electoral processes in the run up to the 24
November by-election. Furthermore, the Network will deploy observers on Election Day to
track all the electoral processes including counting and results tabulation.
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