According to the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) the decision-making process concerning challenges to election results must be accompanied by adequate and sufficient safeguards ensuring, in particular, that any arbitrariness can be avoided. The procedure must be fair and objective and guarantee a sufficiently reasoned decision; complainants must have the opportunity to state their views and to put forward any arguments they consider relevant to the defence of their interests; decisions must be taken within reasonable time-limits. In the view of the Venice Commission, such procedural requirements in principle also apply to ex officio decisions that lead to the annulment of the election result.