Generally speaking, a country that is ruled by persons who have been elected by a free type of election process where more than one party places candidates for elected office is called a "democratic government". In some cause, and I emphasize "some" they are called "democratic republics".
what is an elected member of government called
through public elections of the people
People who are citizens have a responsibility to vote in elections, to choose representatives in their governments.
Candidates
through public elections of the people
Yes. There are democratic elections to both houses of parliament, to one the parties are elected and to the other people select specific people. The president is also elected. Previously he/she was elected by members of parliament (in direct) but as of 2013 the elections are direct. There are also elections to local "governments" and city councils.
A place for people to vote can be called a polling station, therefore, polls are part of elections. I wouldn't say that they actually conduct elections, however. People do that, not polling stations.
The census
During Reconstruction, the governments of the Southern states were removed and new elections were held where black people were allowed to vote.
In Lok Sabha elections, members are elected by the people of India through direct election. In Legislative Assembly elections, members are chosen by the Vidhan Sabha.
Dictatorial governments do not consider the will and interests of the citizens. Such regimes are usually oppressive, and dissidents are usually threatened. The administrations also rig elections, and the people are not represented in governance and policy making.
Being an American I speak from the bias of loving freedom. A good government protects the people of the nation. A bad government rules over the people with use of fear tatics, bullying, oppression and removal of the people's rights and freedom. A good government represents the people. A bad government protects itself. A good government does not execessively tax the people and uses the tax funds to care for the country. A bad government excessively taxes the people and uses the funds to keep for themselves and not benefit the people. These are condsidered good forms of governments: parlimentary with elections, republics and ferations with elections, socialism with elections and benefits the people and monarchies that benefit the people. These are considered bad forms of government: fascist governments that oppress and harm the people. Nazi type governments that harm people, keep the tax funds for themselves and have an evil ruler, Communist governments with a evil ruler such as Stalin; or the current ruler of North Korea where the people are restricted severely and suffer severely; and monarchies or dictatorships where the rulers benefit themselves rather than the people, such as when Hussein ruled Iraq.
it is called a civilization