Why should democratic elections be free and fair?

Answer 1

That is a very good question. What it does is to raise the issue of whether we all should have a say, any say at all, in the way we are governed. Ostensibly it's about people being able to make a choice in the difference of opinion in the choices of who forms & runs the way we are governed & how much taxation we should contribute to our society and what our society should value & how our prosperity (or lack of it) is distributed amongst us. I want Democracy, but I am not so naiive as to believe in its actual existence or practicability. I accept that is a dichotomy. But that does not alter the fact that people are entitled to be given the freedom to try to influence those that put themselves up for election to power making authority. At whatever level, be it the town council or the government of a huge nation. The free ness & fair ness of this is that all of our voting power is exactly, precisely equal: Or at least that is the point of a Democratic process. Now we get to the difficult, impracticable bit: I, in UK, have yet to vote for the MP (Member of Parliament) that has been elected in any General Election. I have always voted for someone who has not been returned (Elected) to Westminster. My vote in this process has achieved nothing ever. (& I have always voted, with 1 notable exception, May 3rd 1979, the Blessed Margarets Accession, & yes, that is Irony !) (I was travelling to 'defend the Empire' with my musket !) & it is my contention we should be made to vote whether we want to or no, and that the addition of 'don't know & 'don't care'should be added to the voting paper. Quite what happens when the 'don't cares' get to power I do not know. But the power is allegedly in our own hands & we should, we must, empower ourselves & have the government we all want & deserve. I suppose I'd better end this by saying the price of bacon is going up because you will see pigs fly first......

Answer 2

Democratic elections should be free and fair to ensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process and have their voices heard. This helps to maintain the legitimacy of the government and fosters trust among the population. Additionally, free and fair elections are essential for upholding the principles of democracy and protecting human rights.