[ Elections ] ODIHR Deputy Director Douglas Wake listens to a domestic observer during Kyrgyzstan’s presidential election, Bishkek 30 October 2011. (OSCE/Jens Eschenbaecher) While NVT can make the electoral process easier for both voters and those counting and tabulating votes, these technologies also introduce new issues regarding perceptions of transparency and accountability in the process, as well as the ability of election observers to perform their role effectively. For NVT to be effective, it is vital that they enjoy public confidence, by meeting the same international standards as traditional means of voting with regard to secrecy, accountability and the transparency of the voting and counting process. ODIHR has included NVT analysts in the relevant election missions and has had the opportunity to examine the challenges associated with the introduction of these new technologies. The Senior Adviser on New Voting Technologies actively follows developments and changes in this field, focusing on prospective modifications to ODIHR’s election observation methodology to adequately address this issue in the Office’s observation activities. Activities Observation missions are the most visible part of ODIHR’s election mandate. The findings and recommendations of election observation reports provide a 10 ODIHR Annual Report 2011 valuable resource for the Office’s other programmes, as well as for the activities of other OSCE institutions and field operations. In 2011, ODIHR’s activities in the field of elections continued to focus on the following areas: '' Election observation; '' Follow-up to observation missions and their recommendations; '' Reform of electoral legislation; '' Development of election observation methodology; '' Training of observers; and '' Support for OSCE Partners for Co-operation. Election observation In 2011, the Office was active in assessing the efforts by a broad range of OSCE participating States to conduct elections in line with OSCE commitments. Following its well-developed and globally recognized election observation methodology, an ODIHR election observation process begins with the deployment of a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM). A NAM is deployed several months before an election and assesses the pre-election environment and preparations underway for the elections. The NAM serves to determine and recommend the nature and scope of a possible ODIHR activity, based on the needs identified and the potential value