Legislation of 15 countries does not clearly specify who may challenge or file complaints about election results. The option ‘Other’ includes various entities, such as voter-initiative groups, attorneys-general and parliamentarians. More details can be explored using the online database. The electoral legislation in 81 countries (47 per cent) contains clear provisions that allow voters—key stakeholders in elections—to challenge elections results. This raises some serious questions about the impartiality of EDR systems in the remaining 53 per cent of countries. Further research would be needed to understand why voters are not legally allowed to challenge election results in so many countries. Figure 3.4. Who can challenge the results of legislative elections? 132 (76%) Candidate/party representative and/or political party 81 (47%) Eligible voter and/or registered voter Election observer 13 (7%) Any citizen 12 (7%) Electoral management body 11 (6%) Government representative 8 (5%) 26 (15%) Other 15 (9%) Not specified 0 30 60 90 120 150 Notes: Number (percentage) of countries with each option. Some countries have more than one option. Data for 174 countries. Graph represents the data in the EJD as of August 2015. The timing of challenges to election results Elections are usually big events in which a large number of people are mobilized in a limited period of time. Their administration and management, therefore, are complex logistical exercises that have to be well planned and coordinated by competent EMBs and the other actors involved. Clearly stipulated rules and guidelines, especially time limits on certain key procedures, are very important for the successful administration and management of the entire electoral process. When it comes to dealing with disputes related to election results, timing is of the utmost importance in the light of the fact that in most cases the announcement of final results depends on the rulings made on such disputes. Challenges to election results are sometimes related to election day itself, such as the voting procedure, the set-up, management and staffing of polling stations, the decisions of polling officials about who should be allowed to vote or prevented from voting, the freedom and secrecy of the ballot, and so on (Orozco-Henríquez et al. 2010: paras 428–80). After the voting has been completed, electoral challenges may address the procedures for counting and tallying the votes, the distribution of 20