If the effect of the votes of persons residing in the unrecognised territory does ultimately not breach the principle of genuine elections which reflect the free expression of the will of the people, then notwithstanding the outcome being tainted, the election results should stand. Any conclusion to the contrary would negate the voting and election rights of the inhabitants who reside within the internationally recognised territorial borders of the annexing State. This conclusion, however, does not obviate the non-recognition of the territorial change arising from illegal annexation and does not imply recognition. It is only, in extremis, if it can be conclusively shown that the outcome of the election has been determined by the votes from the territory/ies outside the borders of the State, that the legitimacy of the outcome is affected.