Elections with the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission on legal reviews and maintained strong partnerships with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (on the basis of a 1997 co-operation agreement and Ministerial Council Decision 19/06), the parliamentary assemblies of the Council of Europe and NATO, and the European Parliament on election observation. It works regularly in the field of elections with other international governmental and non-governmental organizations, such as the Electoral Assistance Division of the United Nations, the European Commission, the Carter Center, the National Democratic Institute and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, to promote common principles on international election observation. ODIHR has strengthened its co-operation with the Organization of American States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference to share ODIHR election observation experience and methodology. Key Findings 2010 showed certain positive developments in the context of election observation missions. Shortcomings, however, continue in a number of participating States. Problems encountered include: »» Limitations on candidacy: OSCE commitments require that all citizens have equal rights to stand for office and to be elected, yet many states employ undue administrative measures that effectively bar individuals from standing. Others employ such measures to de-register candidates on spurious administrative grounds, thus limiting the right to seek political or public office. »» Obstacles to free campaigning: Parties and candidates should be able to exercise the fundamental freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression that lie at the heart of a free and fair campaign. In some cases, candidates and parties face harassment, intimidation, pressure, a lack of resources, de-registration or other problems. In other cases, some candidates gain undue advantage through the abuse of official positions and state resources. This leads to an uneven playing field. The responsibility to ensure equal protection for all parties and candidates lies squarely with state authorities. »» Media access: Electronic broadcast media are the main source of information in all OSCE states. It is generally recognized that Polling station commission members put the minutes of the closing procedures on the polling station door after the close of voting in the second round of the presidential election, Svitlovodsk, Kirovohrad region, Ukraine, 2 February. (OSCE/Adam Adamus) 12 ODIHR Annual Report 2010