carried out in a peaceful manner, with polling officers exercising their responsibilities in a professional manner. 6.3 The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission had adequate materials for carrying out the by-election in all constituencies. However, the absence of the ultra violet light was visible in all polling stations. Polling Officers had to check the left finger for evidence of voting by the naked eye, a situation which could compromise the concept of free and fair election through multiple voting. 6.4 Generally it was noted that persons with disability were able to exercise their right to vote, as assisted voters. In a few circumstances, it was noted that some polling stations were inaccessible to persons with disability. For instance at one polling station in Kuwadzana, the tent was erected in uncleared land with overgrown grass, and most schools did not have access ramps which made it difficult for those on wheel chairs to access the polling station. 6.5 There was generally heavy police presence in most constituencies. A discussion with ZEC established that each polling station was supposed to have two police officers and increased numbers in areas where there were possible threats and higher security risks. The aim was for the maintenance of law and order yet in some polling stations there were up to nine (9) uniformed Police Officers in one place. Some schools were host to 3 polling stations adjacent to each other. The presence of the higher numbers of uniformed police officers at the main entrances was viewed by some voters and polling agents as having an intimidatory effect. This applied to both urban and rural polling stations. 6.6 Most observers noted that there were no campaign activities carried out within the 300m radius of the polling station by midnight preceding the day of polling. However, in Chikanga/Dangamvura, observers noted that there was a political rally disguised as a roadshow where one political party denigrated the names of the other contesting candidates and chanted their party slogans. There was no police presence at the ‘roadshow’ in violation of the Electoral Act. 6.7 All observers noted that most of those qualified to vote were able to cast their vote, although there appeared to be high numbers of people turned away at most of the polling stations due to various reasons which were established as: being Page 10 of 15