1.4: Democratic Elections

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): The more self-confident the democracy, the greater the variety of candidates. Michelle Bachelet’s election as Chilean president expanded political horizons for women.

Free and fair elections are essential in assuring the consent of the governed, which is the bedrock of democratic politics. Elections serve as the principal mechanism for translating that consent into governmental authority.

ELEMENTS OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS

The late Jeane Kirkpatrick, scholar and former U.S. representative to the United Nations, offered this definition: "Democratic elections are not merely symbolic. ...They are competitive, periodic, inclusive, definitive elections in which the chief decision-makers in a government are selected by citizens who enjoy broad freedom to criticize government, to publish their criticism, and to present alternatives."

Democratic elections are competitive. Opposition parties and candidates must enjoy the freedom of speech, assembly, and movement necessary to voice their criticisms of the government openly and to bring alternative policies and candidates to the voters. Simply permitting the opposition access to the ballot is not enough. The party in power may enjoy the advantages of incumbency, but the rules and conduct of the election contest must be fair. On the other hand, freedom of assembly for opposition parties does not imply mob rule or violence. It means debate.

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Free choice is essential in elections. Here, voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo peruse choices in 2006.

Democratic elections are periodic. Democracies do not elect dictators or presidents-for-life. Elected officials are accountable to the people, and they must return to the voters at prescribed intervals to seek their mandate to continue in office and face the risk of being voted out of office.

Democratic elections are inclusive. The definition of citizen and voter must be large enough to include the adult population. A government chosen by a small, exclusive group is not a democracy—no matter how democratic its internal workings may appear. One of the great dramas of democracy throughout history has been the struggle of excluded groups—whether racial, ethnic, or religious minorities, or women—to win full citizenship, and with it the right to vote, hold office, and participate fully in the society.

Democratic elections are definitive. They determine the leadership of the government for a set period of time.

Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): As democracy expands worldwide, so does the ballot box. Above: Yemeni voter.

Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Citizens vote on laws and issues as well as candidates for office. This 2007 photo shows an Ecuadorian woman voting on constitutional reform.

Popularly elected representatives hold the reins of power; they are not simply figureheads or symbolic leaders.

Democracies thrive on openness and accountability, with one very important exception: the act of voting itself. To minimize the opportunity for intimidation, voters in a democracy must be permitted to cast their ballots in secret. At the same time, the protection of the ballot box and tallying of vote totals must be conducted as openly as possible, so that citizens are confident that the results are accurate and that the government does, indeed, rest upon their "consent."

LOYAL OPPOSITION

One of the most difficult concepts for some to accept, especially in nations where the transition of power has historically taken place at the point of a gun, is that of the "loyal opposition." This idea is a vital one, however. It means, in essence, that all sides in a democracy share a common commitment to its basic values. Political competitors don’t necessarily have to like each other, but they must tolerate one another and acknowledge that each has a legitimate and important role to play. Moreover, the ground rules of the society must encourage tolerance and civility in public debate.

When the election is over, the losers accept the judgment of the voters. If the incumbent party loses, it turns over power peacefully. No matter who wins, both sides agree to cooperate in solving the common problems of the society. The opposition continues to participate in public life with the knowledge that its role is essential in any democracy. It is loyal not to the specific policies of the government, but to the fundamental legitimacy of the state and to the democratic process itself.

Democratic elections, after all, are not a fight for survival but a competition to serve.

Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): In democracy, losers and winners wage political warfare via parliamentary procedure. Above: Japanese parliament, Tokyo.

ADMINISTERING ELECTIONS

The way public officials in a democracy are elected can vary enormously. On the national level, for example, legislators can be chosen by districts that each elect a single representative, also known as the "winner-take-all" system. Alternatively, under a system of proportional representation, each political party is represented in the legislature according to its percentage of the total vote nationwide. Provincial and local elections can mirror these national models.

Whatever the exact system, election processes must be seen as fair and open so that the election results are recognized as legitimate. Public officials must ensure wide freedom to register as a voter or run for office; administer an impartial system for guaranteeing a secret ballot along with open, public vote counting; prevent voter fraud; and, if necessary, institute procedures for recounts and resolving election disputes.

Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\): Election workers count votes by candlelight in Dakar, Senegal.