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Multiparty legislative elections

What this indicator measures

Shows, according to V-Dem, whether the national assembly (parliament) is chosen in elections where several parties can field candidates. It does not say whether these elections are free and fair.

How to read this?

“Multiparty legislative elections” means that several parties can run in parliamentary elections; “No multiparty legislative elections” means they cannot.

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167countries with data
2020–2025data year(s)

In brief

Multiparty legislative elections: 167 countries and territories covered. Breakdown: Multiparty legislative elections : 158 ; No multiparty legislative elections : 9.

Why this indicator matters

Choosing one's parliament from among several parties is a foundation of political pluralism. Comparing this criterion helps distinguish systems where competition between parties is allowed from those where it is not.

What makes this indicator vary

Multiparty politics depends on political history, the type of regime, party laws and political transitions. Some countries opened their elections in stages, others closed them again.

Reading precautions

The criterion only shows that several parties can run. It does not say whether the vote is free, fair or free of pressure. The data rely on expert assessments, which involve some judgement.

Multiparty legislative elections

Multiparty legislative elections (158)

No multiparty legislative elections (9)

Frequently asked questions

Where does the "Multiparty legislative elections" data come from?

It comes from V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy), version 16 – via Our World in Data. Site last updated: November 8, 2026. Each country is shown with the year of its most recent value.

Does multiparty mean a free election?

No. The term indicates that several parties can field candidates. A vote can be multiparty and still be biased. The freedom and fairness of voting are measured by other indicators.

What exactly does this indicator measure?

It looks at whether the national assembly is chosen in elections where at least two parties can compete. It is a basic criterion of political competition.

Source and update

Source : V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy), version 16 – via Our World in Data. Site last updated: November 8, 2026.

Indicators in the same category : Democracy & Elections