ELECTORAL ACT ____________________________________________________________________________________ (a) instruct its candidates, persons who hold political office in the party and its representatives, members and supporters to comply with this Code and any applicable electoral and general laws; (b) issue directives proscribing intimidation, violence and other illegal activity or offence, and educate their members on the undesirability of the same; (c) initiate appropriate disciplinary action against its office-bearers, members and supporters, and candidates who contravene this Code or the laws of Zimbabwe. Compliance –Multiparty Liaison Committees 12.(1) Political parties will participate in multiparty liaison committees chaired by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission provided for by section 160A of the Electoral Act. As per section 160A of the Electoral Act “liaison committee” means a national multiparty liaison committee, a constituency multiparty liaison committee or a local authority multiparty liaison committee. As per section 160C of the Electoral Act the function of the MPLC at central level is to create and establish multiparty liaison subcommittees in each province. In agreement with the Electoral Commission and the political parties represented in Parliament, the multiparty liaison committees will be set up for the entire electoral process in concurrence with a view to the application of this Code of Conduct, according to the timeline stated in the introduction. The functions of a multiparty liaison committee shall be— (a) to monitor political parties, candidates, supporters, their formal and informal associates, and other stakeholders in order to ensure that they adhere to the Code and uphold conditions conducive to free and unfettered free democratic political activity within a climate of tolerance in which political activities may take place without fear of coercion, intimidation or reprisals; (b) to foster and engender a spirit of goodwill among political parties as their contribution to the consolidation of peace in Zimbabwe. To contribute to the institutionalisation of a culture of mutual tolerance, democratic discourse and the principle of fair play in the conduct of national and local political activities in Zimbabwe; (c) to serve as a forum for discussion of issues of common concern, hear and resolve any disputes, concerns, matters or grievances relating to the electoral process, including in particular any disputes arising from allegations concerning non-compliance with the Code; (d) to immediately report upon and refer to the Commission any disputes, concerns, matters or grievances relating to the electoral process; (e) to request the Commission to mediate or appoint an independent mediator to resolve any dispute, concern, matter or grievance relating to the electoral process. The Commission or the mediator appointed should resolve them within the time requested by the multiparty liaison committee or within a reasonable time as per the Electoral Act; (f) to present to the Commission any reports, assessments, records or recommendations relating to the electoral process; and (g) generally, to assist in implementing the Code. (2) The national multiparty liaison committee will delegate some of its functions to provincial multiparty liaison subcommittees. The functions of the provincial subcommittees will mirror the functions and composition of the national committee but will focus exclusively on the provincial context. The provincial subcommittees will also monitor, supervise or direct the activities of constituency multiparty liaison subcommittees. (3) After nomination, Constituency multiparty liaison committees for a Presidential election, a general election for the purpose of electing members of the National Assembly or a by-election to fill a casual vacancy in the National Assembly, as well as local authority 146