The process by which majority of the electorate participate in the affairs of the country is called

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the process through which the majority of the electorate take part in the affairs of the country. This points to the general, regular mechanism of political participation in governance.

Step 2: Explain each option

• Election: The process by which citizens vote to choose their leaders and representatives. It is the main way the majority of the electorate take part in running the country, since it decides who governs on their behalf.
• Opinion polls: Surveys of a sample of people to find out their views. They do not involve the majority of the electorate, and they do not decide anything.
• Plebiscite: A vote by the people of a territory on a specific issue, usually its sovereignty or political future (for example, the 1961 Southern Cameroons plebiscite). It is a one-off event, not the general process of participation.
• Public opinion: The collective views of people on public issues. It is not a process of participation.
• Referendum: A direct vote by the electorate on a particular proposal, such as a constitutional amendment. It is also issue-specific and occasional.

Step 3: Identify the answer Election is the broad, regular process by which most of the electorate take part in government. Plebiscite and referendum are limited to specific issues, while opinion polls and public opinion do not involve formal participation in decision-making.

Exam tip:

• Election → choosing leaders
• Referendum → voting on a law or policy
• Plebiscite → voting on a territory's status or future
• Opinion poll → sampling views, with no binding effect