Elections OSCE/Jens Esc henbaec her ODIHR Director Janez Lenarčič (second left) visits a polling station during the 28 September 2008 parliamentary elections in Belarus. assessment or observation activity is necessary for an election, as was the case after a 15 and 16 December 2008 mission in Liechtenstein ahead of parliamentary elections to be held in ­February 2009. A total of 2,850 observers from 49 participating States were deployed by ODIHR in 2008. In order to increase the number of participating States represented in its election observation activities, the Office introduced a voluntary fund to support the participation of observers from countries that have not traditionally contributed observers. As a result, eight long-term and almost 80 short-term observers were financed through ODIHR’s voluntary Fund for Enhancing the Diversification of Election Observation Missions in 2008. The support from OSCE participating States involved in the fund provides much appreciated assistance in bolstering the Office’s resources and activities in this field. Consistent with Ministerial Council decision 19/06, ODIHR regularly cooperated with parliamentary partners in 2008 to observe electionday proceedings in the context of joint International Election Observation Missions (IEOMs). Partners in these missions included the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and, on occasion, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Key findings While a number of positive developments were observed in the context of ODIHR election observation missions over the course of 2008, some disturbing trends remained. These included: kk Limitations to the right to be elected – administrative rules were used to keep specific candidates and parties off the ballot or to de-register candidates during the campaign. In these instances, the right of citizens to seek political or public office without discrimination was not fully guaranteed. kk Lack of a free campaign environment – some participating States failed to create the necessary conditions allowing parties and candidates to campaign freely on an equal basis, thus failing to ensure a level playing field. It is the responsibility of governments to ensure that public and Annual Report 2008 13