'' Limitations of candidacy rights; to universal and equal suffrage, resulting from inadequate voter registration, inequitable media access and biased coverage favouring particular candidates or parties; '' The misuse of state administrative resources, to the advantage of particular contestants: '' A lack of separation between state structures and candidates and/or political parties; '' Limitation of access for domestic and international observers; '' Ineffectual complaints and appeals procedures; and '' Fraud during voting or the counting and tabulation of votes. '' Impediments Implementing recommendations ODIHR’s election-related activities have an impact beyond observation, as the Office provides concrete and constructive recommendations at the conclusion of any observation activity. These recommendations are included in public final reports on observation activities and focus on ways in which the electoral practices of a particular state could be improved. Recommendations are meant to support participating States in bringing their elections closer in line with OSCE commitments [ Elections ] A voter identifying his name on the voter list during the presidential and municipal elections in Bulgaria, Sofia, 23 October 2011. (OSCE/Jens Eschenbaecher) and with regional and international standards. ODIHR engages in post-election dialogue and works with the authorities of participating States to address electionrelated recommendations. Final reports are translated into local languages to facilitate this process and to enable all electoral stakeholders in a participating State to fully utilize them in their work. ODIHR continued its efforts to co-ordinate its approach with other international and regional organizations, such as the Council of Europe’s European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), to harmonize approaches and avoid duplication. The Office also continued to highlight post-election dialogue as an example of good practice participating States can present to the OSCE Permanent Council or Human Dimension Committee in detailing their follow-up on recommendations. New Voting Technologies Participating States continue to explore the possibilities offered by new voting technologies (NVT) in the conduct of elections, especially where the purpose is to facilitate the administration of elections and voter participation. In 2011, awareness continued to grow about the possible limitations and risks associated with using these technologies or implementing them too quickly. ODIHR Annual Report 2011 9