Mashonaland West (in the past a Zanu PF stronghold) registering almost 3 times the numbers of new voters than Harare the capital (an MDC T stronghold). The Constitutional provision was clear – it was to be “intensive” and was to last “30 days”. Voters roll An analysis conducted by the Research and Advocacy Unit of the only available electronic voters roll prepared prior to the intensive voter registration exercise, revealed serious discrepancies between information and statistics from the census and that appearing on the voters’ roll. 4. Disproportionate increase of number of Polling Stations around 1 Brigade Barracks Whilst the ZEC was entitled to determine the number and location of polling stations its actions in determining the location of new polling stations were highly contentious.. The disproportionate increase in the number of polling stations around the Barracks was inexplicable. The increase in the number of polling stations around the Barracks was completely disproportionate to the general trend of increasing the number of polling stations. One possible conclusion to be drawn was that the number of polling stations situated close to the Barracks was specifically selected to enable security forces to manipulate the vote. 5. Breach of Section 61(4)(b) and (c) of the Constitution – freedom of expression and the media Sections 61(4) (b) and (c) of the Constitution state that all “State owned media of communication” must be “impartial” and afford a “fair opportunity for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions”. However independent radio and television stations in Zimbabwe are prohibited. The only television station is the State owned ZBC. Although there are two nominally independent radio stations, namely Star FM and ZiFM, the former is owned by the Zimpapers Group, which is essentially State owned, and the latter is owned by Supa Mandiwanzira the Zanu PF candidate for Nyanga South. During the entire electoral period, the ZBC news bulletins were undeniably partisan. ZBC TV and radio were unequivocally biased in favour of Zanu PF undermining a fair opportunity for the presentation of divergent and dissenting opinions. The meetings of MDC Presidential candidate Professor Welshman Ncube had gone unrecognised by the ZBC. Although more coverage was allocated to MDC T Presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, the coverage remained biased and was not given the fair opportunity guaranteed by the Constitution. 6. Biased application of Section 152 of the Electoral Act Section 152 of the Electoral Act states that “from the date on which an election is called until its result is declared, no person shall deface or remove any billboard, placard or poster published, posted or displayed by a political party or candidate contesting the election.” It was this provision, which was used by the ZRP against the MDC election campaign distribution coordinator Malthus Ncube. He was arrested, detained overnight and prosecuted. There were no prosecutions for ZANU PF operatives and supporters who tore down MDC posters especially in Hatfield, Harare. 7. Breach of Section 21(6) and (7) of the Electoral Act by the ZEC Zimbabwe’s Electoral Act obliges the ZEC to supply both contesting parties and candidates with copies of both paper and electronic copies of the voters roll. Access to the voters roll is arguably the most important right in any democratic election. Section 21(6) and (7) of the Electoral Act states as follows: (6) Within a reasonable period of the time after nomination day in an election, the Commission shall provide . 47