An election is a procedure for electing someone by open or secret ballot.

Elections — one of the most common forms of engagement of people (citizens and others) in public-political life of the state, country, region (regional elections) and so on, an important institution in the political system and the political regime of their legitimacy. Elections are held for the purpose of legally approving the position of a head of an administrative or public administration body or a representative on behalf of persons participating in elections in a legislative or other government body. The election procedure is applied in the system of state, public, and so on administration, as well as in the management of any other communities of people United by professional, public, or other activities, beliefs, faiths, and so on.

Free elections are considered by far the most democratic system for filling leadership positions in any community of people.