No consensus exists on how to define democracy

with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy - and invited all member states and organisations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.

Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally - either directly or through elected representatives - in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.

Democracy contrasts with forms of government where power is either held by one person, as in a monarchy or where power is held by a small number of individuals, as in an oligarchy.

No consensus exists on how to define democracy, but equality, freedom and rule of law have been identified as important characteristics since ancient times. These principles are reflected in all eligible citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes.

For example, in a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, and the freedom of its eligible citizens is secured by legitimized rights.

As of 2010 Tanzania was ranked partly free by freedom house. The 2011 Democracy Index marked Tanzania as a "hybrid regime", ranking it 90th out of 167, an improvement from 92nd the year before. Hybrid regimes are found in most developing countries, especially since the end of the Cold War. They are called hybrid because they combine democratic traits (e.g., frequent and direct elections) with autocratic ones.

Democracy is a form of government in which all citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal (and more or less direct) participation in proposals, development and passage of legislation into law. It comes from the Greek word demokratía which is a union of two words; demos meaning common people and kratos which means power.

Therefore democracy can simply be defined as the power of the common people. There is no specific, universally accepted definition of ‘democracy’ but equality and freedom both have been identified as important characteristics of democracy since ancient times.

These principles are reflected in all citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes. For example, in a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, no unreasonable restrictions can apply to anyone seeking to become a representative, and the freedom of its citizens.