In the opinion of the Venice Commission, it should be possible to challenge election results based on violations of electoral rights, freedoms and interests not only by the State, but also by public and private electoral stakeholders – bearing in mind that the State has positive obligations to guarantee free elections including a fair campaign; this applies also to the influence of non-governmental organisations, of the media, and of social media in particular, including those sponsored and financed from abroad, and foreign State and non-State actors.