8.Elections as a prerequisite for democracy

1. 8.Elections as a prerequisite for democracy

MDE 151. Political science
Yerkebulan Akberdiyev
Senior lecturer
Multidisciplinary Education

2. Table of content

Introduction
Reasons why elections are held
The main types of electoral systems
Electoral system of the RK
Preliminary data of voting (2022)

3. Introduction

4.

Legitimacy: Elections provide a mechanism for establishing the legitimacy of a
government. By allowing citizens to participate in the selection of their
leaders, elections confer a sense of popular sovereignty and consent to
governance. Legitimate governments derive their authority from the will of
the people, and elections serve as a means to validate and renew that
authority periodically.

5.

Representation: Elections enable the
representation of diverse interests and
perspectives within a society. Through the
electoral process, individuals and political
parties compete for votes and the opportunity
to hold office. This competition fosters
pluralism, allows for the expression of different
ideologies, and provides citizens with choices to
select representatives who align with their
values and policy preferences.

6.

Accountability:
Elections play a crucial role in ensuring accountability of elected officials. Regularly
scheduled elections provide an opportunity for citizens to evaluate the
performance of their representatives and make informed decisions about whether
to reelect or replace them. This mechanism holds politicians accountable for their
actions, encourages responsiveness to public concerns, and allows for a peaceful
transfer of power.

7.

Participation and Civic Engagement:
Elections encourage civic participation and engagement. They provide
a platform for citizens to voice their opinions, discuss important
issues, and exercise their right to vote. The electoral process can help
foster a sense of citizenship, promote political awareness, and
encourage public dialogue on matters of public interest.

8.

Peaceful Conflict Resolution: Elections offer a
peaceful means of resolving political conflicts
and managing competing interests. By providing
an established process for selecting leaders,
elections help avoid or mitigate the potential for
violence or instability that can arise from power
struggles. They allow for the peaceful transfer of
power and provide an outlet for citizens to
express their grievances and effect change
through nonviolent means.

9. The main types of electoral systems

There are several main types of electoral systems
used around the world. Each system has its own
characteristics and impacts the way votes are
translated into seats or representation. Here are
some of the main types:

10.

Plurality/Winner-Takes-All System:
In this system, the candidate or party with the highest number of
votes wins, even if they do not receive an absolute majority (more
than 50% of the votes). This system is commonly used in countries
like the United States and the United Kingdom for single-member
district elections. It tends to favor larger parties and can lead to a
two-party system.

11.

Majority/Two-Round System: This system requires a
candidate or party to obtain an absolute majority (more than
50% of the votes) to win. If no candidate achieves a majority
in the first round, a second round is held between the top
two candidates. This system is often used in presidential
elections, such as in France.

12.

• Proportional
Representation (PR)
System: In PR systems,
parties are allocated
seats in proportion to
the overall percentage
of votes they receive.
There are different
variations of PR
systems, including:

13.

List PR: Parties present lists of candidates,
and voters vote for a party rather than
individual candidates. Seats are then
allocated to parties based on their share of
the vote, and candidates are selected from
the party list in order of their ranking.

14. Example

15. Brief information about electoral system of the RK

The Constitution of the Republic of
Kazakhstan of 1995 defined free elections
as the fundamental principle of organizing
state power, and the people as the bearer
of sovereignty and the only source of state
power. The Republic of Kazakhstan is a
unitary state with a presidential form of
government.

16.

Democratic elections are competitive, periodic and
representative elections, during which citizens with
wide discretion elect their representatives to power
structures on an alternative basis. Competitive
elections ensure that different political parties and
candidates participate in elections. They all enjoy
freedom of speech, assembly, movement, whatever
is necessary to make their political views heard and
to present alternative candidates to voters. The
legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan ensures the
periodicity of elections, representation in
government bodies of various social groups of the
population, openness and transparency of the
activities of electoral bodies.

17. Preliminary data of voting (2022)

18.

Alternative Voting Systems: These
systems aim to provide more
options for voters and increase the
representation of smaller parties.

19.

These are just some of the main types of electoral systems. Each
system has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of
electoral system can have significant impacts on the representation and
functioning of a democratic system.

20. Summary

• These are just some of the main types of electoral
systems. Each system has its advantages and
disadvantages, and the choice of electoral system
can have significant impacts on the representation
and functioning of a democratic system. Elections
are a vital element of political systems, serving
multiple functions that enhance representation,
legitimacy, and accountability. They provide a
structured way for citizens to participate in their
governance, influence policy direction, and hold
leaders accountable. However, the effectiveness of
elections depends on their integrity, inclusiveness,
and the broader political context in which they
occur. Understanding the role and challenges of
elections is crucial for fostering democratic
governance and political stability.

21. Source

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https://aceproject.org/main/english/lf/lf22.ht
m
https://www.undp.org/blog/elections-firststep-towards-democracy
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/
democracy-in-a-russian-mirror/role-ofelections-indemocracy/2A189AF6E17F67541A86EC2FF5C7
5644

22.

Thank you!