ANNUAL REPORT 2003 Elections ODIHR Director Christian Strohal (left) and Rita Süssmuth, Head of the Election Observation Mission for the Russian Duma elections, speak with the Chairwoman (right) of a Moscow polling station, 7 December. recommendations.” At the Ministerial Council in Maastricht fraud. Further work to develop observation methodology in December 2003, the ODIHR was requested to “consider will focus on voter registration and media monitoring, with ways to improve the effectiveness of its assistance to partic- the publication of guidelines on both of these topics. ipating States in following up recommendations made in ODIHR election observation reports and inform the Perma- The ODIHR will also look to deploy election observation mis- nent Council on progress made in fulfilling this task.” In re- sions for a longer period to more closely assess the post- sponse, the ODIHR is developing methods for engaging par- election period, pay increased attention to elections below ticipating States on matters of post-election follow-up to the national level, and continue the assessment of elections facilitate implementation of recommendations contained in more-established democracies. Further efforts will be in ODIHR final reports. made to diversify the composition of election observation missions through the special voluntary fund established for this purpose. Future priorities In its legislative-review work, the ODIHR will seek to develop The ODIHR’s main priority in 2004 will be to develop a con- a more process-based approach to assisting participating sistent follow-up approach to assess the degree to which States improve their electoral legislation. This will include in- participating States have addressed recommendations con- creased discussions with both officials and civil society repre- tained in ODIHR final reports on elections and to determine sentatives, provision of advice to committees established to the assistance that can be provided by the ODIHR to enable deal with election reform, and organization of roundtables. them to do so. This will be undertaken in co-operation with OSCE field missions where applicable and will involve en- In terms of technical assistance, the ODIHR will continue to gagement and dialogue with the authorities, political par- provide support to domestic observers by holding a second ties, and civil society. annual forum to review key areas of methodology and practice and launching a website that will enable domestic ob- The ODIHR will also fully incorporate aspects of its election server organizations to remain up-to-date with each other's observation methodology that have been further developed activities. The ODIHR will also seek to further develop its in recent years into each of its missions. This includes greater work in the field of conflict management for election com- focus on gender and national minority issues, as well as missions. areas such as vote tabulation and accountability for electoral 15