A political party is defined as an organised group of people with at least roughly similar political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office.

Parties tend to be deeply and durably entrenched in specific substructures of society in a sustainable and well functioning democracy. They can link the governmental institutions to the elements of the civil society in a free and fair society and are regarded as necessary for the functioning any modern democratic political system.

Political parties perform key tasks in a democratic society, such as

1. Soliciting  and articulating public policy priorities and civic needs and problems as identified by members and supporters
2. socialising and educating voters and citizens in the functioning of the political and electoral system and the generation of general political values
3. balancing opposing demands and converting them into general policies
4. Activating and mobilising citizens into participating in political decisions and transforming their opinions into viable policy options
5. Channelling public opinion from citizens to government
6. Recruiting and training candidates for public office

Political parties are often described as institutionalized mediators between civil society and those who decide and implement decisions. As such,  they enable their members’ and supporters’ demands to be addressed  in parliament and in government. Even though parties fulfil many vital roles and perform several functions in a democratic society, the nomination and presentation of candidates in the electoral campaign is the most visible function to the electorate.

To perform the above mentioned tasks and functions, political parties and citizens need some rights and obligations guaranteed or ruled by constitution or law. These include

• Freedom of organisation
• Freedom to stand for election
• Freedom of speech and assembly
• Provision of a fair and peaceful competition among parties and candidates
• Mechanisms to ensure plurality
• Inclusion in the electoral process and contacts with electoral bodies
• A level playing field and freedom from discrimination
• Media access and fair reporting guarantees
• Transparent and accountable political finance

The internal functioning of individual political parties is to some extent determined by forces that are external to political parties, such as the electoral system, political culture, and legal regulations. However, internal processes of political parties, such as the personality of leaders and staff, the ideological foundations, party history, and internal political culture are considered to be even more influential on the internal functioning. If a political party would like the democratic principles of electoral politics to be applied within the party, they may consider practices like internal information and consultation processes, internal (formal or informal) rules and structures for the organisation and decision-making within the party, and transparency in the party’s functioning at all levels. Party members may also take on more formal roles in decision-making like participating in internal elections for leadership positions or in selecting the party’s candidate(s) in the upcoming elections. Many parties also work actively to enhance the role of traditionally under-represented groups in their parties.