Elections “[The OSCE participating States] recognize the assistance the ODIHR can provide to participating States in developing and implementing electoral legislation. (…) We agree to follow up promptly the ODIHR’s election assessment and recommendations.” – Istanbul 1999, “Charter for European Security” need for post-election dialogue and follow-up activities, the onus is on the participating States themselves to take the necessary steps to implement ODIHR recommendations and thus meet their commitments. Confusion about voter lists and identification documents was evident at many polling stations during parliamentary elections in Albania on 3 July. k 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 both voters and candidates. In this context, the participation of women, the inclusion of national minorities, and access for disabled voters remain issues to be followed and addressed. The right to vote, free from interference and intimidation, is also an issue 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 also an ongoing challenge. Emerging challenges include the development, implementation, and observation of new voting technologies, such as electronic voting, in a manner that is both transparent and accountable. k Domestic non-partisan election observation: Observation by domestic non-partisan observer groups has become increasingly important in recent years and is likely to further gain in significance. However, while such groups continue to make progress in developing a professional, comprehensive, and systematic approach to election observation, their access to monitor the entire process is not always guaranteed, and obstacles to their effective observation still arise, contrary to OSCE commitments. Activities Observation is certainly the most visible aspect of the ODIHR’s election mandate, but it is just one part of a broad, integrated work plan that also includes technical-assistance projects and legislative reviews. Activities in 2005 concentrated on the following areas: k Election observation; k Technical assistance; k Methodological developments; and k Follow-up. The following are among the principal and emerging areas where the conduct of democratic elections requires further attention and improvement: k Respect for the civil and political rights of candidates and voters; k Compilation of accurate voter lists; k Equitable access to the media; k Unbiased coverage by the media; k Access for international and domestic election observers; k Participation of women; OSCE k Inclusion of national minorities; 10 k Access for disabled voters; k Honest counting and tabulation of the votes; k Effective complaints and appeals process with an independent judiciary; k Overall transparency and accountability that instills public confidence; k Development and implementation of new voting technologies in a manner that is both transparent and accountable. ANNUAL REPORT 2005