145. (1) The Commission shall—

(a) protect the fairness and integrity of elections and referendums in accordance with this Part.

(b) monitor, investigate and combat the dissemination of—

(i) disinformation, and

(ii) misinformation,

(c) monitor, investigate, identify and combat manipulative or inauthentic behaviour,

(d) monitor, investigate and identify trends in respect of—

(i) disinformation,

(ii) misinformation, and

(iii) manipulative or inauthentic behaviour,

(e) promote public awareness of misinformation, disinformation and manipulative or inauthentic behaviour and it may establish, facilitate or promote educational or information programmes for the purpose of the performance of its functions under this Part.

(2) Without prejudice to section 16 , the Commission may engage any person to assist it in the performance of its functions under subsection (1) and, for that purpose, it may do any or all of the following:

(a) enter into a contract with any person on such terms and conditions and for such period as the Commission considers appropriate;

(b) pay out of the funds at its disposal, to any person referred to in paragraph (a), such fees (if any) or allowances for expenses (if any) incurred by the person as the Commission may determine.