14 YUMAK AND SADAK v. TURKEY JUDGMENT they can be represented in Parliament is excessive and that the voting arrangements for Turkish citizens living abroad should be changed. ... 23. The Assembly therefore invites Turkey, as part of its authorities’ current reform process, to: ... ii. amend the electoral code to lower the 10% threshold and enable Turkish citizens living abroad to vote without having to present themselves at the frontier; ...” (c) Report on observation of the parliamentary elections in Turkey (22 July 2007) 59. The relevant parts of the Report on observation of the parliamentary elections in Turkey, produced by an ad hoc Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, read as follows: “XII. Conclusions and recommendations 55. The parliamentary elections in Turkey, on 22 July 2007, were generally in compliance with Turkey’s Council of Europe commitments and European standards for free elections. 56. Overwhelmingly, the voting was well organised and conducted in an orderly and professional fashion, which testifies to a long-standing tradition of democratic elections in Turkey. 57. The high voter turnout shows that confidence in the democratic process exists in Turkey. 58. Electoral administrators at all levels dispatched their duties effectively and in good faith. 59. However, the Rapporteur believes that Turkey could do more in terms of organising even better elections that would guarantee a genuinely representative parliament. The 10% threshold requirement could be lowered, in accordance with Assembly Resolutions 1380 (2004) and 1547 (2007). The fact that the new Parliament elected on 22 July 2007 is far more representative than the outgoing Parliament, representing about 90% of the opinions of the electorate, is due to the fact that three instead of two parties are represented and to the ploy of opposition parties to launch party-sponsored independent candidates and not to any steps taken by the Turkish authorities themselves. 60. The Turkish authorities may wish to consider seizing the Venice Commission on this issue, as well as on simplifying electoral legislation.”