Concept:Representative democracy depends on citizens choosing leaders through credible electoral processes.
Explanation:In a representative democracy, citizens do not govern directly. They select representatives who make decisions on their behalf.
For this system to thrive, the election process must be free from manipulation, fraud, and intimidation.
Free and fair elections guarantee that the winners genuinely reflect the will of the people.
Without credible elections, representatives lose legitimacy and democratic institutions weaken.
Political parties, educated voters, and gender balance are helpful, but they cannot replace the central requirement of a credible mandate.
Therefore, the essential condition for representative democracy to flourish is the presence of free and fair elections.
Answer:C. free and fair elections