Elections Urdur Gunnarsdottir Ballots are counted for the 18 February local elections in Albania at a counting centre in Tirana, 20 February. Furthermore, ODIHR continues to consider adaptations to its election observation methodology to take account of new developments in this field. kk Addressing other ongoing and emerging challenges: Ongoing challenges include the need to ensure transparency, accountability, and confidence in electoral processes, as well as universal suffrage rights for voters and candidates alike. In this context, the participation of women, the inclusion of national minorities, and access for disabled voters are issues to be addressed. The right to vote, free from interference and intimidation, is also a challenge for certain groups that may be considered more vulnerable, such as the sick and elderly, who may vote at home or in hospital; military conscripts, who may vote in their barracks; internally displaced persons; and persons in pre-trial detention. Low voter turnout, particularly among young voters, is another concern in a number of participating States. Emerging challenges also include election campaign financing and the monitoring thereof. kk Formulating supplementary commitments: OSCE states have yet to decide on the adoption of supplementary commitments, following an ODIHR note on possible additional commitments for democratic elections. ODIHR concluded that three basic principles that are implicit in the 1990 Copenhagen Document — transparency, accountability, and public confidence — could serve as the basis for new commitments. Activities Observation is the most visible aspect of ODIHR’s elections mandate, but it is just one part of a much broader range of activities aimed at fostering and strengthening democratic elections. Insights gained from observation reports “[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 Annual Report 2007 11