(4) The Electoral Commission shall exercise its powers, functions and duties under this section independent of any direction or interference by other authority or any person.” 15. Further to section 76 of the Constitution, a more expansive catalogue of the powers and functions of the Commission is provided for under section 8 of the Electoral Commission Act (ECA). The relevant provisions of section 8 for purposes of the present proceedings are in the following terms: “(1) In addition to the broad functions and powers conferred on the Commission by the Constitution and, subject to the Constitution, the Commission shall exercise general direction and supervision over the conduct of every election and, without prejudice to the generality of such functions and powers, it shall have the following further functions— (d) to organize and direct the registration of voters; (e) to devise and establish voters registers and ballot (f) to print, distribute and take charge of ballot papers and papers; voters registers; (g) to approve and procure ballot boxes; (h) to establish and operate polling stations; (i) to establish security conditions necessary for the conduct of every election in accordance with any written law governing elections; (j) to promote public awareness of electoral matters through the media and other appropriate and effective means and to conduct civic and voter education on such matters; (k) to promote and conduct research into electoral matters and into any matter pertaining to its functions and to publish the results of such research; (l) to perform the functions conferred upon it by or under any written law; and (m) to take measures and to do such other things as are necessary for conducting free and fair elections.” 8