How do elections promote democracy

If they are legitimate and inclusive, elections can pave the way for freedom of expression and promote peaceful transitions. HSD relies on its electoral expertise and experience in conflict prevention to support the negotiation and the verification of codes of conduct for political parties during elections.

These negotiation processes were held in countries experiencing democratic transition after long periods of autocracy, such as Tunisia in , Myanmar in or Zimbabwe in 3 , where the level of risk of violence and fraud was significant.

By committing voluntarily against personal or interfaith attacks, physical violence or intimidation, political parties take responsibility to prevent violence, in particular during electoral campaigns, and lay the basis for democratic dialog 4. In Nigeria, HSD also assisted the National Peace Committee in its prevention activities and contributed to an agreement among the presidential elections candidates, which is now being updated for Supporting democratic and peaceful elections: SDC activities and risk management.

Also for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC , elections are an important pillar of a wider agenda supporting democratic processes. It is a moment when citizens can hold their political representatives accountable and when power can be redistributed. Inclusive, transparent elections, free from violence and fear are important conditions to meet these expectations.

SDC is aware that elections can bear the risk to divide a society and stir up violent conflict along ethnic, regional or political lines.

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Poll workers in Sierra Leone. Related Sectors of Work. Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance. Share This Page. Citizens vote for the party of their choice and, in this way, influence government policy. A political party brings together people with the same political ideas. By taking part in an election, parties hope to get as many of their members as possible into a representative body, like parliament or a municipal council. At the same time they try to hold as many posts as possible in the government , or in the municipal or provincial executive.