ELECTIONS  //  15 FOLLOW-UP TO OBSERVATION MISSIONS AND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS The underlying goal of election observation is to assist participating States in implementing their election-related commitments and to improve their electoral practices. A core part of election observation, therefore, is the findings and recommendations offered in final reports. After an election, ODIHR regularly engages with participating States to follow up on findings and recommendations through a range of activities. In 2017, ODIHR presented its reports to representatives of state institutions, political parties and civil society in 14 participating States. During these meetings ODIHR provided technical advice to support electoral reform and the follow-up of electoral recommendations. This included visits to Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Lithuania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Tajikistan, the United States and Uzbekistan. “O ur Office has a long history of supporting institutions and civil society in the follow-up of electoral recommendations in an inclusive and timely manner. With this project, we hope to intensify these efforts and support our partners in the Western Balkans in their important efforts to further improve electoral legislation and practice.” — ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir on the launch of the Office's dedicated project to support the follow-up of electoral recommendations in the Western Balkans institutions in the region in their efforts to follow-up on ODIHR election observation recommendations on voter registration, the conduct of the media during election campaigns and, more broadly, election management. Within the framework of the p ­ roject, ODIHR works closely with civil society organizations and providers of electoral assistance, as well as OSCE field operations. The project is co-funded by the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency. ODIHR continued to provide legal opinions on draft electoral legislation in partnership with the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. ODIHR conducted legal reviews related to election legislation for Armenia, Bulgaria, Spain and twice for Moldova. ODIHR started a new project to support the follow-up of electoral recommendations in the Western Balkans. This three-year project supports election management bodies and related Ambassador Audrey Glover, head of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, speaking with the head of a polling station commission in Tetovo during the second round of local elections in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 29 October 2017. (OSCE/Thomas Rymer)