Elections “ [The Ministerial Council] recognizes ODIHR’s expertise in assisting the participating States through its election-related activities, including reviewing election legislation and carrying out election observations.” – Brussels 2006, Strengthening the Effectiveness of the OSCE kk Implementing recommendations: ODIHR’s election-related activities involved more than just observation, as the office provides constructive recommendations at the conclusion of any observation mission that focus on ways in which the electoral practices of a particular state could be improved. ODIHR continues to highlight the need for post-election dialogue and follow-up activities to strengthen the impact of observation and provide for the implementation of recommendations by OSCE participating States. kk New voting technologies: The switch to new technologies in the conduct of elections has gained momentum in recent years. While these technologies make the electoral process speedier and easier for both voters and those counting and tabulating votes, they also introduce new Voter turnout was reasonably high at Serbian parliamentary elections, Belgrade, 11 May 2008. issues with regard to transparency and accountability in the election process, as well as the ability of election observers to perform their role effectively. For new election technologies to be effective, it is vital that they enjoy public confidence, by meeting standards like secrecy of the vote and accountability and transparency of the voting and counting process that are the core democratic principles applied to traditional systems of voting. By including e-voting experts in the relevant election missions, ODIHR is able to examine the challenges associated with the introduction of these new technologies. This also allows ODIHR to continue to consider modifications to its election observation methodology to address rapid and constant changes in this field. kk Challenges new and old: Along with transparency, accountability and confidence in the electoral process, the need to ensure the universal right to participate for voters and candidates alike remains a challenge. Issues to be addressed in this area include the participation of women and national minorities, and access for disabled voters. Other groups that may also be more vulnerable to having their electoral rights curtailed include the sick or elderly, military personnel and people in detention. The nature and monitoring of campaign financing are also emerging challenges addressed by ODIHR in its activities. OSCE/Milan Obradovic Activities 10 Annual Report 2008 The monitoring of elections is only the most visible part of ODIHR’s elections mandate, with the insights generated in observation reports providing a valuable resource for its other programmes, as well as for the activities of other