12  •  Elections of legislation regulating election observation and access to all aspects of the electoral process. FOLLOW-UP TO OBSERVATION MISSIONS AND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS It is increasingly recognized that election observation is not an end in itself, but rather an activity meant to assist participating States in implementing their election-related commitments and improve their electoral practices. This provides an opportunity for ODIHR to engage with participating States after an election through a range of follow-up activities based on ODIHR’s comprehensive final reports. In 2015, ODIHR visited Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria to present its reports and meet with relevant stakeholders, including representatives of state institutions, political parties and civil society. Additionally, ODIHR provided technical advice during follow-up visits to Albania, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Moldova, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine. These meetings offered important opportunities to discuss ODIHR findings and recommendations, provide clarification and learn about any plans for implementation. DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTION OBSERVATION METHODOLOGY ODIHR continuously works to improve its election observation methodology and to increase professionalism in the observation of certain specialized aspects of elections. In 2015, ODIHR published a new Handbook for the Observation of Campaign Finance. In recognizing that campaign finance issues have an increasing impact on the quality of elections, this handbook Tana de Zulueta, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission, listening to a local political party representative while observing voting at a polling station in Kyiv during Ukraine’s local elections, 25 October 2015. (OSCE/Thomas Rymer) was developed to provide guidance to election observers on how to approach campaign finance within the overall observation of an election. It combines explanations of technical aspects of campaign finance with practical advice for observers on how to approach the topic. In enhancing the quality of observation and the quality of the recommendations made on campaign finance, it should also assist participating States in their efforts to improve campaign finance rules and practice. Throughout the year, ODIHR continued using digital pens for the submission of observation information by short-term observers in observation missions, which helped streamline and enhance the collection of data provided by short-term observers. REFORM OF ELECTION LEGISLATION ODIHR continues to assist participating States in the follow-up process, specifically through providing comments and assessments on draft electoral legislation, election laws and amendments. Following a well-established practice, legal opinions are commonly prepared in partnership with the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. In 2015, ODIHR conducted a legal review related to Ukraine, which covered political party and campaign finance.