Elections A ballot box is emptied at a Moscow polling station ahead of counting in Russia’s presidential election, 4 March 2012. (OSCE/Jens Eschenbaecher) These shortcomings include: II Attempts to limit the competition among parties and candidates, thereby creating an uneven playing field; II Biased reporting by the media favouring particular candidates or parties; II The misuse of state resources to the benefit of certain candidates and parties; II Inaccurate voter registers and insufficient voter registration guidelines and safeguards to prevent misuse; II Undue influence on voters to vote for specific candidates or parties; II Complaints and appeals procedures that do not allow for effective and timely redress of complaints; II Restriction of access for domestic and international observers and, thereby, the prevention of effective observation; and II Fraudulent practices during voting processes and the counting and tabulation of votes. Implementing recommendations One vital aspect of ODIHR’s election-related activities is reporting about all aspects of an election process that is factual, accurate and balanced. Actual observation forms the basis for concrete and constructive recommendations at the conclusion of any observation activity. These recommendations are focused on areas where the electoral practices of participating States could be improved and aim to support them in bringing their elections closer in line with OSCE commitments, as well as with other international standards. ODIHR engages with participating States in post-election dialogue and works with the authorities to address election-related recommendations. In 2012, ODIHR continued and intensified the co-ordination with other international and regional organizations, such as the Council of Europe’s European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and signatories of the 2005 Declaration of Principles of International Election Observation, to harmonize approaches and avoid duplication. A number of participating States also presented their efforts to follow-up on recommendations before the OSCE Human Dimension Committee, thus enabling discussion and the sharing of good practices. Observation methodology ODIHR’s election observation methodology has been consistently refined, expanded and adapted to take into account new challenges and issues of increasing ODIHR Annual Report 2012 9