Non-democratic elections are those where rulers hold elections in such a way that it does not threaten their rule. Such elections are characterised by electoral malpractices and rigging. Examples of such malpractices include violence during the election process, intimidation of voters, and complaints that voters' names disappear from the voters' list.

In such elections, the outcome is manipulated to ensure that the existing rulers continue to remain in power. Though non-democratic countries hold elections to present themselves as democratic, these elections lack the essential features of free and fair electoral processes where the true aspirations of voters can find legitimate expression.