Article 31 has been modified to regulate the accreditation process of citizen observers. In addition to non-governmental organisations, the draft grants “funds” the right to be accredited to carry out observation activities. It is not quite clear what “funds” represent. If this expands the list of organisations from those which include an explicit reference to democracy and human rights protection in their charter, this would be welcome; however, this is not entirely clear.23 Previously ODIHR recommended removing this requirement as it places an unnecessary restriction on the opportunity to observe.24 It has been observed that similar provisions have been used in other states to limit the participation of organisations that want to engage in genuine observation. Such provisions have largely had a negative impact on genuine citizen observation and not a positive impact on the prevention of the misuse of observation. International standards make it clear that national and international observers should be given the widest possible opportunity to participate in an election observation exercise.25 The Venice Commission and ODIHR recommend making it clear in Articles 30 and 31 that non-governmental organisations have the right to be accredited as citizen observers during elections regardless of whether they include an explicit reference to democracy and human rights protection in their charter for at least one year prior to the announcement of an election.