Explanation

Key democratic features: regular free elections, majority rule with minority rights, rule of law, fundamental rights protection, free press, independent judiciary, and peaceful power transfer.

Direct democracy: citizens vote on issues directly (referendums). Representative democracy: citizens elect representatives to decide for them. Nigeria practices representative democracy at all levels.

Democracy requires educated, participating citizens. Low voter turnout, electoral fraud, and apathy undermine democratic systems. Democracy is not just elections but a culture of participation and accountability.