ELECTIONS Ballots are sorted at a polling station in Erdenet for the 26 June 2013 presidential election in Mongolia. (OSCE/ Agnieszka Rembowska) transparency. Indications of ballot-box stuffing and tampering with results protocols were observed. Follow-up to Observation Missions and their Recommendations While participating States have repeatedly underscored the importance and value of election observation, with comprehensive reports and recommendations being its main output, states have also committed themselves to follow up promptly on ODIHR’s assessments and recommendations, to maximize the utility of election observation. Over the past several years, ODIHR has been intensifying its efforts to work with participating States to implement the recommendations contained in election mission final reports. Visits to present these reports and to discuss the opportunities for further collaboration in the period between elections has evolved into a regular practice. In 2013, 12 such visits took place, to Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Lithuania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Ukraine and the United States. These visits allowed for discussion of the findings, further explanation of the reasoning behind the recommendations as rooted in international documents, and the offering of advice and possible solutions to address the recommendations. Such visits also frequently serve as the starting point for further engagement with participating States on specific issues or areas. For example, subsequent to the presentation of the final report on the 2012 parliamentary elections in Ukraine, ODIHR was invited to join a comprehensive election legislation review process and provided input to a number of working group sessions in 2013. ODIHR’s other follow-up activities include regular participation in roundtable meetings and seminars, and supporting states in various activities aimed at implementing recommendations. Reform of Election Legislation ODIHR assisted a number of participating States by providing comments on and assessments of draft electoral legislation, election laws and amendments. ODIHR Annual Report 2013  /   17