In the democratization process the first elections can be seen to have an important effect on the structure of political development, through the type of party system which emerges or the institutions which are shaped under early administrations. If formative elections are held at a local or regional level it may take longer for national parties to emerge, and sub-national power structures may be entrenched. In post-colonial societies the electoral dominance of the parties which led the nationalist struggle have shaped the political discourse for many years (see e.g. Congress (India) and ANC).
— Alistair McMillan
