Why do elections take place after a fixed time interval in democracy? (a) To…
2024
Why do elections take place after a fixed time interval in democracy?
(a) To ensure accountability of the government
(b) To ensure equal political participation by the parties
(c) To encourage political debate and public dialogue
(d) It is a customary practice
Choose the correct options:
- A.
(a), (b) and (c)
- B.
(b), (c) and (d)
- C.
(a), (b) and (d)
- D.
(a), (b), (c) and (d)
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
In a representative democracy, elections are fixed at regular intervals instead of being left to the ruling government's convenience, so that political power keeps returning to the people for renewal through concrete institutional mechanisms rather than tradition alone.
Fixed intervals mean the government must return to the electorate within a set period, which keeps it answerable for its record — this is what statement (a) captures.
A predictable, scheduled election gives every party a recurring, guaranteed chance to contest, rather than leaving the timing to whichever party currently holds power — this is what statement (b) captures.
Each fixed cycle creates a recurring window for campaigning and manifestos, generating public debate on policy choices — this is what statement (c) captures.
Calling the practice merely "customary" only describes a habit; it does not identify an institutional purpose the fixed interval serves, so statement (d) does not belong with the functional reasons above.
Since only statement (d) fails to give a functional reason for fixing the interval, the set of valid reasons is exactly (a), (b) and (c) — checking each offered combination confirms that this is the only one built from just these three statements, without pulling in the non-functional custom argument.