4 time being in force; “fixed date” means the date fixed in terms of section 1(2) as the date of commencement of this Act; “Minister” means the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs or any other Minister to whom the President may, from time to time, assign the administration of this Act; “political party” means an association of persons the primary object of which is to secure the election of one or more of its members to a local authority or Parliament, or to the office of President, or to campaign for a specified result at a referendum; “referendum” means a referendum held in terms of the Referendums Act [Chapter 2:10]; “Registrar-General” means the Registrar-General of Voters referred to in section 1 of the Electoral Act. (2) Any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the Electoral Act shall have the same meaning when used in this Act. PART II ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION 3 Procedure and powers of Commission4 (1) The First Schedule applies to the procedure to be followed by the Commission at its meetings. (2) Subject to this Act, for the better exercise of its functions the Commission shall have power to do or cause to be done, either by itself or through its agents, all or any of the things specified in the Second Schedule, either absolutely or conditionally and either solely or jointly with others. 4 Additional functions of Commission 5 (1) In addition to the functions set out in section 61 of the Constitution, the Commission shall be responsible for— (a) undertaking and promoting research into electoral matters; and (b) developing expertise and the use of technology in regard to electoral processes in Government at all levels; and (c) promoting co-operation between the Government, political parties and civil society in regard to elections; and (d) keeping the public informed about— (i) the times and places where persons can register as voters and the progress of the voter registration exercise; and 4 Substituted by section 3 of Act 17/2007. 5 Substituted by section 3 of Act 17/2007.