Concept:Political parties are organised groups whose central purpose in a democracy is to compete for and wield governmental authority.
Explanation:Political parties carry out many functions in a state.
They contest elections and mobilise voters.
They create political awareness and shape public opinion.
They formulate policies and criticise the government's programmes.
Yet none of these functions is an end in itself.
They all serve one deeper goal: to win power and use it to govern.
A party may educate the electorate, but it does so mainly to win their support in an election.
It may draft policies, but it wants to apply them from a position of authority.
From contesting elections to forming a government, every activity points toward gaining and exercising control of the state.
Thus, the true ultimate aim of political parties is the acquisition and exercise of power.
Answer:D. acquire and exercise power