Election types

parliamentary elections

Elections held to choose members of the parliament.

general elections

Elections where all eligible voters can participate to choose public officials.

local elections

Elections held to choose representatives in local government.

by-election

An election held to fill a vacancy that occurs between general elections.

snap elections / early elections

Elections called earlier than scheduled.

a runoff / a second round of voting

A further election held to determine a winner after no candidate achieves the necessary majority.

in the run-up to elections / ahead of the polls

The period of time leading up to the elections.

on Election Day

The day when the election takes place.

voters

Individuals who have the right to participate in voting.

electors

Individuals designated to vote in an election, especially in an electoral college.

the incumbent (President)

The current holder of a political office.

acting President

The person temporarily fulfilling the role of president.

President elect

The individual who has been elected president but has not yet assumed office.

a running mate

A candidate for vice-president who runs alongside the presidential candidate.

an ailing candidate

A candidate who is unwell or in poor health.

the front-runner / the presumed winner

The candidate considered most likely to win an election.

rivals / opponents

Candidates running against each other in an election.

deputies / members of parliament

Elected officials who represent constituents in the parliament.

election commission

An organization responsible for overseeing the administration of elections.

foreign observers

Individuals from other countries who monitor the electoral process.

to run for president / to seek the presidency

To campaign for the position of president.

to seek reelection

To attempt to be elected again to the same position.

to forge a political alliance/coalition with smb / to align with smb

To create a partnership or alliance in politics.

to pull out of the election / to withdraw from the race

To remove oneself from consideration as a candidate.

to run a campaign / to be on the campaign trail

To actively promote oneself or one's policies during an election.

campaigning / canvassing

The act of seeking support or votes from the public.

to stage a rally

To organize a public gathering in support of a candidate or cause.

low voter turnout

A situation where a small percentage of eligible voters participate in an election.

voters abstained from the polls in droves

A significant number of voters chose not to participate in an election.

to score a landslide victory

To win an election by a large margin.

to win by a margin of

To achieve victory with a specific difference in votes.

(narrow/wide) margin

The difference in votes between candidates, classified as small or large.

to come second with 30% of the vote

To finish in second place, receiving 30% of the total votes.

to suffer a crushing defeat / to lose by a devastating margin

To experience a significant loss in an election.

to lose to smb

To be defeated by another candidate.

to trail behind / to lag behind

To fall behind in the election race.

to run neck and neck

To be in a very close competition with another candidate.

to gain ground

To improve one's standing or position in the election.

to clear / to cross the 5% threshold

To achieve more than 5% of the total votes to be eligible for representation.

double digit

A percentage or figure that consists of two digits.

inconclusive elections

Elections that do not result in a clear winner.

findings of opinion polls

Results or conclusions drawn from surveys conducted before the election.

exit polls

Surveys conducted with voters immediately after they have cast their votes.

numerous irregularities

Many instances of violation of election rules.

vote rigging

Manipulating the election process to achieve a desired outcome.

ballot box stuffing

Illegally adding false ballots to the ballot box.

massive vote rigging / widespread irregularities

Extensive manipulation or violations during the election process.

to cry foul

To complain about unfair practices in an election.

to challenge the results

To dispute the official outcome of an election.

to cancel/nullify/annul the results / to declare the vote invalid

To invalidate the results of an election.

to break up protests

To disperse or end public demonstrations.

tear gas, water cannons, batons

Crowd control tools used by law enforcement.

loophole

A gap or ambiguity in laws or regulations that can be exploited.

to take office / to assume duties

To officially begin serving in a position of authority.

inauguration ceremony

A formal event to mark the beginning of someone's term in office.

to secure reelection

To ensure being elected again to a political position.

to concede defeat / to admit defeat

To acknowledge losing an election.

to oust / to overthrow

To remove someone from power, often through force.

to stage a coup

To carry out a sudden and illegal seizure of government power.

seize power

To take control of a government or organization, often by force.

polling station / polling place

Location where voters go to cast their votes.

constituency

A geographic area represented by an elected official.

a single-seat constituency / an individual constituency

An electoral district that elects one representative.

ballot box

A container used to collect votes during an election.

ballot / ballot paper

Official document used to cast a vote.

booth

An enclosed space where voters can cast their votes privately.

election by secret ballot

Voting process where the choices are not disclosed.

vote counting / tallying of votes

The process of determining the number of votes cast.

to monitor the voting

To observe and ensure the voting process is fair and transparent.

to be eligible to vote and to be elected

To meet the requirements necessary to participate in voting.

to go to the polls / to cast one's vote

To participate in an election by voting.

to cast one's vote for smb

To vote in favor of a specific candidate.

multi-party system

A political system where multiple parties have the capacity to gain control of government.

parliamentary faction / caucus

A group of members of parliament who share common goals or interests.

Federation Council

The upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia.

chairman/speaker

The person leading a meeting or organization, especially in a legislative context.

to pass a law

To formally approve a new legal statute.