Politics Essay: Democracy

What is an election?

An election is the means through which an office or post is filled. It involves a designated body of people, known as the electorate, to choose one candidate and cast their vote in the secret ballot. There are four different types of elections. The general election is where all the seats in the House of Commons come up for re-election. The devolved assembly elections are to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly. The European Parliament elections select members of the European Parliament. The local elections are to district, borough and country councils. Elections take place every four or five years.