Electoral authoritarianism

Electoral authoritarianism refers to a government that holds elections to appear democratic but maintains control over political processes to ensure continued power. These regimes often manipulate electoral rules, limit genuine political competition, or restrict opposition activities, making elections unfair or predictable. While they conduct votes to give an façade of legitimacy, they lack true democratic practices such as fair competition and protection of civil liberties. Essentially, it's a system that combines electoral processes with authoritarian rule, blurring the lines between democracy and dictatorship.