Elections Limited Election Observation Mission Head Daan Everts in a polling station in Zagreb during the second round of the Croatian presidential election, 10 January 2010. (OSCE/Thomas Rymer) state-funded broadcast media have particular obligations and responsibilities during election periods vis-à-vis candidates and voters. These obligations derive from the fact that they use public commodities (i.e., frequencies) and that their funding comes from taxpayers. The outcome of an election is often influenced by the amount and quality of information voters receive through the media. In many cases, however, certain parties or candidates are denied access to certain media sources or are granted access in a manner that is inequitable. »» Administration of elections: Parties and candidates in some cases lack confidence in the impartiality of election administration and are sometimes treated in a biased manner. Moreover, election commissions are not always truly independent or free from government influence. Transparency, impartiality, professionalism, efficiency and accountability are key features that any election administration mechanism must meet to gain and retain confidence in the election process among both voters and those contesting the vote. »» Voting, counting and tabulation procedures: There are often insufficient safeguards in place for voting, counting and tabulation to discount the possibility of electoral malfeasance. This leads to the observation of dubious or, at times, openly fraudulent behaviour during the voting, counting of votes and tabulation of results. For there to be proper confidence in an election, OSCE commitments require the honest counting of votes and public reporting of election results to ensure transparency. »» Complaints and appeals systems: Procedures and relevant bodies for the handling of election-related complaints are not always sufficiently developed to allow citizens adequate legal redress. A key element of the rule of law is that disputes can be channelled through appropriately designated and independent courts of law that can provide effective remedy. The timing of dispute adjudication is also crucial — decisions should be made quickly enough to have an impact on the election process. Such a right to redress should be available to citizens and to those standing for office, and at all stages of the process, from the moment of registration, through the course of the campaign, during the counting of votes, and to the determination of election results. ODIHR Annual Report 2010 13