·         -What is the purpose of an election?

·         -Why do people vote or not vote?

-   The purpose of an election is to provide a competition for office and is also a means of holding the government to account. It permits a dialogue between voters and parties, and so between society and state.

-   Competitive elections facilitate choice, accountability, dialogue and legitimacy.

-   Even those non-competitive elections can provide a measure of legitimacy with the international community.

-   Elections are an instrument of representative democracy – the role of the people is only to decide who will decide.

-   People most likely to vote: middle aged, strong party loyalty, extensive education, attends church, belongs to a union, higher income, voted in previous elections.

-   People vote as they want to see the party they believe in come to power and implement plans that will positively affect them.

-   People vote due to party identification – they have a long term attachment to a particular party and so voting is more of a habit than out of choice.

-   People vote for parties that stand for their interests – party choice is anchored in social identity.

-   People can also participate in retrospective voting. This is casting one’s ballot in response to government performance. More like a piece of business – people are voting depending on political issues, the economy, party leaders and party image.

-   There has been a decline in the turnout for voting. This is namely because of  a growing distance between voters and parties and government – partisan dealignment (weakening of bonds between a. Electors and parties and b. Social groups and parties).

-   There has also been a decline in turnout due to the diminishing significance of elections. If people don’t think that elections are important, they are going to make less of an effort to turn up and vote. Also, elections have become of lesser importance than they were, say, in the 1950s as elections today decide issues of lesser importance.

-   Another reason for low turnout is rising cynicism for government performance – encouraging people to stay away from voting.

-   In countries where costs or effort for voting are high then there will be a low turnout.

-   If voters feel their vote is wasted then they are less likely to vote.