ELECTIONS Nicola Schmidt (c), Deputy Head of the ODIHR Elections Department, speaking at a meeting on the launch of the Handbook on Observing and Promoting the Participation of National Minorities in Electoral Processes, in Warsaw, Poland, 22 September. OSCE/Piotr Markowksi Development of Election Observation Methodology ODIHR continuously works to enhance its well­ established observation methodology to fulfil the election-related part of its mandate. It maintains its practice of observing before, during and after elections and continues to refine its approach to ensure comprehensive review of all the relevant aspects of the electoral process. In 2014, ODIHR published a revised Handbook on Observing and Promoting the Participation of National Minorities in Electoral Processes. This handbook was developed in co-operation with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and provides guidance to experts focusing on national minority participation, by analysing factors affecting their inclusion and representation, as well as to observers monitoring the electoral process. It builds on the Guidelines to Assist National Minority Participation in the Electoral Process of 2001, with new information on international standards and good practice, as well as outlining the methodology used by EOMs to observe the participation of national minorities. 18 ODIHR Annual Report 2014 In recognizing that campaign finance issues have an increasing impact on the quality of elections, ODIHR gathered experts in Warsaw in June for a seminar on campaign finance. The meeting served as an opportunity to discuss the evolving and varied regulation of campaign finance across OSCE participating States and how ODIHR can establish more comprehensive and standardized methodology for observing this aspect of the electoral process. The event was a crucial step in contributing to ODIHR’s publication of a new handbook dedicated to the observation of campaign finance. ODIHR also works to ensure that its observation missions update operational aspects in their work to remain efficient and functional. The Office piloted the large-scale use of digital pens for submission of observation information by short-term observers in four observation missions, helping to streamline and enhance data collection by short-term observers. Reform of Election Legislation ODIHR continues to assist participating States in the follow-up process, specifically through providing comments and assessments on draft electoral legislation, election laws and amendments. L ­ egal opinions are commonly prepared in partnership with the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. In 2014, ODIHR conducted three joint legal reviews, for the governments of ­Bulgaria, the Kyrgyz