Elections are only democratic if they are truly free and fair. This requires the freedom to advocate, associate, contest, and campaign.

in which citizens trust one another and interact as political equals. In sustainable democracies, institutions of good governance--such as impartial judicial systems and vigorous audit agencies--induce, enforce, and reward civic behavior

they must listen to their citizens' voices, engage their participation, tolerate their protests, protect theirfreedoms, and respond to their needs

it must have more than regular, multiparty elections under a civilian constitutional order

lections are only democratic if they are truly free and fair.