Elections  •  9 ACTIVITIES Observation missions are the most visible part of ODIHR’s ­election​related activities. The findings and ­recommendations of election observation reports provide a valuable resource for the Office’s other programmes, as well as for the activities of other OSCE institutions and field operations. In 2015, ODIHR’s election- related activities focused on observing elections; following-up on observation missions and their recommendations; strengthening the Office’s election observation methodology; supporting reform of electoral legislation; and training observers. ELECTION OBSERVATION ODIHR has assessed electoral processes throughout all but one of the OSCE participating States for their compliance with OSCE commitments, international obligations and other standards for democratic elections. In line with the Office’s well-established election observation methodology, an election observation process begins with the deployment of a needs assessment mission (NAM). A NAM is typically deployed several months before an election to assess the pre-election environment and the preparations for the elections. Based on this assessment, the NAM is tasked with recommending whether to carry out an observation activity for the elections and, if so, what type of activity best meets the needs identified. In 2015, ODIHR conducted 19 NAMs. ODIHR deployed election-related missions to 17 elections and one referendum in 17 participating States in 2015. As with all ODIHR missions, these were guided by two principal objectives: first, to assess whether the elections met OSCE commitments, international obligations and other standards for democratic elections and were conducted in accordance with national legislation; and second, to offer concrete and concise recommendations to support participating States to improve their electoral processes. The purpose of election observation, therefore, is to offer constructive feedback and provide concrete recommendations to remedy identified shortcomings. Over the course of 2015, ODIHR published some 50 election-related reports, including NAM and interim reports, statements of preliminary findings and conclusions, and final reports. Most reports were also translated into the relevant language or languages of the states observed. For six of the 17 elections, ODIHR deployed full-scale election observation missions (EOMs), including long- and short-term observers, which are seconded by individual participating States, as well as core teams of experts recruited directly by ODIHR. Limited election observation missions (LEOMs) include a core team of experts and long-term observers but no short-term observers, as they do not conduct comprehensive and systematic observation of election day. These were deployed for four elections in three participating States, including both parliamentary elections in ­Turkey. As per ODIHR’s methodology, LEOMs are deployed to participating States where long-term observers are deemed necessary to ensure comprehensive regional coverage, but election-day issues are expected to be unproblematic or where fundamental shortcomings are so significant as to render election-day observation inconsequential. The head of a polling station board in Ankara holding up a ballot for observers and other board members to verify during counting in Turkey’s early parliamentary elections, 1 November 2015. (OSCE/ Thomas Rymer)