ELECTIONS Following established practice, such comments and assessments were provided in legal opinions prepared jointly with the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. In 2013, ODIHR conducted four legal reviews for three OSCE participating States — one each for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Moldova, and two for Ukraine. ODIHR also provided input to discussions on electoral legislation at roundtable meetings, working groups and meetings with authorities in several participating States, including in Belarus, Finland and Ukraine. Other specific aspects of the electoral process, such as new voting technologies, campaign finance, election-dispute resolution and alternative voting methods for disabled and elderly voters were discussed during visits to Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Poland and Serbia. Development of Election Observation Methodology ODIHR fulfils the election-related part of its mandate on the basis of a long-established, comprehensive methodology that is designed to capture all aspects of an electoral process. In the light of evolving practice in the electoral field, ODIHR also follows and takes account of new developments in the conduct of observation activities. ODIHR’s election observation methodology, therefore, continues to evolve in response to emerging needs. A number of handbooks have been developed in previous years as part of efforts to ensure that the methodology remains current and to offer election experts guidance on how various new and evolving areas should be assessed. ODIHR published two new handbooks in 2013 on specific elements of its election observation methodology. A polling station official examines a voter’s hand for invisible ink in Podgorica during the presidential election in Montenegro, 7 April 2013. The ink is applied to the index fingers of voters as a measure to ensure against multiple voting. (OSCE/Thomas Rymer) The use of new information and communication technologies in elections has increased considerably in recent years. Several OSCE participating States have implemented or tested new voting technologies during their elections. In an effort to “further strengthen the observation methodology”1 ODIHR published the Handbook for the Observation of New Voting Technologies. The Office also published the second edition of the Guidelines for Reviewing a Legal Framework for Elections. The guidelines are aimed at both reviewers of electoral legislation and national authorities involved in drafting or amending election-related documents. The publication updates the first edition, published in 2001, and takes account of various developments in international standards and practice. Training of Observers While the responsibility for ensuring adequate training of election observers seconded to ODIHR election 1  Ministerial Council Decision 19/06. 18  /   ODIHR Annual Report 2013

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