The head of the OSCE/ ODIHR long-term observation mission, Peter Eicher (centre), before a post-election press conference in Skopje, 23 March. (OSCE/Drew Hyslop) 13 election reports, with the aim of furthering implementation of OSCE commitments. In 2009, ODIHR undertook a number of follow-up activities. These included reviews of electoral legislation and participation in meetings, roundtables and working groups in a variety of participating States. Among other initiatives, followup activities were conducted in Belarus, Georgia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Montenegro and Moldova. Some of these activities were initiated through a visit by the ODIHR Director shortly after the publication of an election observation mission report. Political will is often a key precondition to effective follow-up of ODIHR recommendations. Where there is sufficient political will, the period after an election offers excellent opportunities for participating States to bene­ fit from recommendations made by ODIHR election observation missions through an active follow-up process. ODIHR encourages such timely efforts. Reform of Electoral Legislation Holding elections that are in line with OSCE commitments requires an adequate legal framework to ensure that crucial rights and standards are adhered to in a structured manner. As a result, the review of electoral legislation and legal frameworks is a key component of ODIHR’s follow-up efforts. Over the course of 2009, ODIHR published five joint legal reviews with the Venice Commission on draft or final amendments to election laws in Albania, the ODIHR Annual Report 2009 former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine (two separate reviews). These reviews all provided recommendations on how to bring legislation into line with OSCE commitments. Further Development of Election Observation Methodology ODIHR’s comprehensive methodology for election observation is set out in the Election Observation Handbook. This methodology covers the various facets of an election process, from review of the legal framework to assessment of the performance of election-administration bodies. It examines the conduct of an election campaign, whether there is equitable access to the media and the media environment, and the procedures in place for adjudicating election-related complaints and appeals. Election-day elements, such as voting, counting and tabulation, as well as the announcement of election results, are also crucial elements addressed by this methodology. ODIHR continues to identify new areas of development and concern, and areas where its observation methodology could be improved. Among other things, it continues to look at challenges to the observation of new voter technologies, specific elements of voter registration and issues related to the financing of election campaigns. ODIHR continues to publish guidelines and handbooks on a variety of election-related subjects to provide additional guidance to election observers. At Elections