Elections Recognizing that the observation of these technologies requires innovative approaches, ODIHR has hosted a number of expert meetings on the subject. In 2008, the Office proceeded with the drafting of a handbook for observing new voting technologies and, in this context, distributed a discussion paper as the forerunner to an eventual handbook on the topic. Representatives from election administration bodies and the relevant international organizations, as well as e-voting and legal experts, contributed to this effort. ODIHR representatives also had the opportunity to discuss challenges related to new voting technologies during meetings organized in 2008 by the Council of Europe and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. The observation of the 2008 elections in the United States and a visit to the Russian Federation during an Internet voting experiment in Tula Region provided additional opportunities for ODIHR to expand its comparative experience with new voting technologies. Publication of guidelines ODIHR has published guidelines and handbooks providing detailed guidance for international and domestic observers on a variety of election-related subjects. In addition to the development of a handbook for observing new voting technologies, ODIHR also worked in 2008 on the development of guidelines for the observation of voter registration. The Office also finished updating two of its existing publications: A revised edition of the Handbook to Assist National Minority Participation in the Electoral Process and Guidelines for Reviewing a Legal Framework for Elections. V. Observer training While it is primarily the responsibility of OSCE participating States to provide ODIHR with trained and experienced observers, the Office assists states by offering observer training. This training provides observers with necessary skills and underscores the need for a common approach to implementing the ODIHR election observation methodology. In 2008, as in previous years, training courses for short-term observers were conducted at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, as well as, for the first time, in Tirana. In addition, the Office continued to support national efforts by responding to requests from some participating States to provide training for their election observers, including co-operation with states that run their own training centres. ODIHR has a number of traditional partners in these training efforts: the German Centre for International Peace Operations (ZIF), the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (NORDEM), the Russian Diplomatic Academy, the Austrian Study Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR) and the London-based Electoral Reform International Services (ERIS), as well as the European Commission’s Network of Europeans for Electoral and Democracy Support (NEEDS). Annual Report 2008 17