A country is said to be democratic if there are free and fair elections.
In a democratic system of government, power is vested in the people, who exercise their right to choose their leaders through regular, free, and fair elections. These elections are conducted according to established rules and procedures, without interference or intimidation from any outside parties. All eligible citizens have the right to vote, without any form of discrimination or disenfranchisement.
Gerrymandering, or manipulating the boundaries of electoral constituencies to gain political advantage, undermines the principle of free and fair elections. Citizens can be disenfranchised when their right to vote is restricted or taken away, such as through discriminatory laws or practices. Similarly, when the press is owned or controlled by the government, it can limit freedom of speech and the free flow of information, which are essential for a functioning democracy.
In summary, a country is said to be democratic if there are free and fair elections, where all eligible citizens have the right to vote without discrimination or disenfranchisement. Gerrymandering, disenfranchisement, and government control of the press can undermine the principles of democracy.