A Study of the Apparent and Hidden Functions of Elections

Abstract

This paper seeks to provide an analysis of elections as a socio-political phenomenon that goes beyond their function as a mechanism of political representation. It explores their role as either a tool for political change or a hindrance to democratic transition, considering the tools at the disposal of the administration or authority in managing political and electoral affairs. The paper also examines the objectives pursued through elections, whether in service of democratization or as an adaptation to democratic transition, aligned with the interests and privileges inherited from past practices. The study concludes with a central point: elections are inherently a transformative phenomenon, regardless of the political framework in which they are conducted or the outcomes they produce.