[ Elections ] Counting begins at a polling station in Jurmala during Latvia’s early parliamentary elections, 17 September 2011. (OSCE/ Jens Eschenbaecher) methodology, LEOMs are deployed to participating States where long-term observers are deemed necessary to ensure comprehensive regional coverage but electionday issues are expected to be unproblematic, or where fundamental shortcomings are so significant as to render election-day observation inconsequential. In addition, ODIHR deployed election assessment missions (EAMs) to eight participating States, each comprising a core team of experts but no long- or shortterm observers. EAMs are deployed to elections where the presence of short- and long-term observers is not considered necessary because of high levels of confidence in the conduct of elections, well-tested electoral practices and proven checks and balances, such as an independent judiciary, robust civil society and pluralistic media. As is the case with EOMs and LEOMs, EAMs make an overall assessment of the administrative and legal framework for the conduct of elections and provide targeted recommendations. ODIHR also deployed two election expert teams to look at specific targeted issues during local elections in two participating States. Almost 2,000 observers from 48 participating States were deployed by ODIHR in 2011. To continue increasing the number of participating States represented in its election observation activities, ODIHR continues to make good use of its Fund for Diversification, an extrabudgetary programme to support the participation of 12 ODIHR Annual Report 2011 observers from countries that do not generally second observers. The Fund was used to send 31 long-term observers from 14 participating States and almost 40 short-term observers from 12 participating States to take part in nine election missions throughout the year. The continued funding and support from OSCE participating States for this programme is crucial to ensuring a broader geographical range of expertise. Consistent with its tasking to improve work with various other organizations monitoring elections, through the development of “a framework for co-ordination in this field” (Budapest Summit, 1994), and on the basis of OSCE Ministerial Council Decision 19/06 on “Strengthening the Effectiveness of the OSCE” (Brussels, 2006), ODIHR maintained a strong partnership with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (on the basis of the 1997 co-operation agreement) and regularly worked with other parliamentary partners, including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, to observe election-day proceedings. ODIHR continued to co-operate actively with the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission on legal reviews. It worked regularly with other international governmental and non-governmental organizations, such as the Electoral Assistance Division of the United Nations, the European Commission, the Carter Center,