injury on civilians without being accountable to anyone. The Commission expected prompt investigation and prosecution by the relevant authorities if it was true that the assailants were imposters or rogue agents acting without official deployment. The ZHRC acknowledges the setting up of the Commission of Inquiry to inquire into the post-election violence that took place on the 1st day of August, 2018. The ZHRC, hopes that the Inquiry will conduct its work diligently and effectively in order to identify those responsible for the violence. The families that lost their loved ones, and those injured should be adequately compensated and assisted by the State. The Commission will continue to monitor the process and consider the outcome thereof including the implications on the protection and enjoyment of human rights in Zimbabwe. ZHRC also finds it imperative that an Act of Parliament be promulgated immediately in order to provide an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from the public against members of the security services in terms of Section 210 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. 5.3 Electoral Dispute Resolution During the electoral period Electoral Courts were established in line with Section 161(1) of the Electoral Act which provides for their establishment as a division of the High Court. These courts were accorded the sole responsibility to adjudicate over election related disputes during the course of the electoral cycle. The designation of these courts placed confidence in both the electorate and contesting candidates as the provision of a legal redress mechanism would ensure that justice would be fairly served in addressing election related disputes. On the 22nd of August 2018 the Constitutional Court deliberated on the petition from the opposition (MDC Alliance) legally challenging the Presidential election result. In his application, Mr. Nelson Chamisa stated that he won the election with 60% of the vote, contrary to the result officially announced by ZEC where he had 44,3% of the votes and Mr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of ZANU PF had 50,6%. The hearing began on Wednesday the 22nd of August 2018 with the verdict being pronounced on Friday the 24th of August 2018. The Court proceedings were televised live nationally for all interested stakeholders to follow the proceedings. This gave the Page 42 of 55