Concept:Elections give a government legal and moral authority through popular consent.Explanation:Democracy depends on the people accepting their leaders as rightful rulers.This acceptance is called legitimacy.Elections allow citizens to choose their representatives freely and fairly.When leaders are chosen in this way, they gain the right to exercise power on behalf of the people.A government that is not elected may be seen as forceful or illegal.Thus, elections mainly ensure that authority is accepted by the governed.Answer:A. confers legitimacy.