Elections number of OSCE participating States in the conduct of elections, such as restrictions of fundamental freedoms, limitations on the right to stand for office, challenges to universal and equal suffrage due to deficiencies in voter lists, inequitable media access and biased coverage in favour of one candidate or party, abuse of state administrative resources, hindered access of domestic and international observers, ineffective complaints and appeals procedures, as well as fraud during the vote count and tabulation process, all leading to a lack of confidence in the election administration and democratic process. A polling-station commission fills in results protocols for the 22 July parliamentary elections in Turkey as domestic observers look on. kk Implementing recommendations: Election observation is not an end in itself. At the conclusion of any observation or assessment mission, ODIHR provides constructive recommendations that address areas where the electoral practices of a particular state should, or could, be improved. Recommendations, however, are not always acted upon. In order to enhance the impact of election observation and to ensure that OSCE states implement recommendations, ODIHR continues to emphasize the need for post-election dialogue and follow-up activities. As stated in its report Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation, of November 2006, the Office advocates regular progress reports to the OSCE Permanent Council to examine the state of implementation of ODIHR recommendations. kk Addressing new voting technologies: In recent years, new voting technologies have been used with increasing frequency. These technologies can pose challenges to the perceptions of transparency and accountability in an election process, as well as challenges to observing electronic voting. Key aspects of new voting technologies should be observable, and such systems should be introduced with appropriate safeguards to better ensure accountability, transparency, and public confidence. Broad public confidence is considered a prerequisite for the introduction of new election technologies. Electronic voting systems must meet the same democratic commitments and principles applied to traditional systems and modalities of voting, especially the principles of transparency, secrecy of the vote, and accountability. ODIHR examines challenges surrounding the consideration and introduction of new voting technologies by including e-voting experts in relevant election missions. Jonathan Stonestreet The following are among the principal areas where the conduct of democratic elections requires further attention and improvement: 10 Annual Report 2007 kk Respect for basic fundamental freedoms, such as the freedoms of assembly, association, and expression; kk Respect for the civil and political rights of candidates and voters; kk kk Effective representation of national minorities; kk Access for disabled voters; kk Honest and transparent counting and tabulation of the votes; Compilation of accurate voter lists; kk kk Equal opportunities to campaign in a free environment; Effective complaints and appeals process with an independent judiciary; kk kk Equitable access to the media; Overall transparency and accountability that instils public confidence; and kk Unbiased coverage by the media; kk kk Impartial election administration bodies; kk Unhindered access for international and domestic election observers; Development and implementation of new voting technologies in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and in line with OSCE commitments. kk Effective representation and participation of women;