By-election
Also known as a special election in the U.S., a by-election is held to fill a vacant seat in a legislative body between general elections. It is a common feature in parliamentary systems like the UK.
Also known as a special election in the U.S., a by-election is held to fill a vacant seat in a legislative body between general elections. It is a common feature in parliamentary systems like the UK.
Example: In the UK Parliament, if a Member of Parliament is elevated to the House of Lords, a by-election is triggered in their constituency to elect a new MP.
Common misconception: By-elections permanently change the overall balance of power in a parliament. While they can shift the majority, they are often viewed as midterm referendums on the governing party, and the results are sometimes localized rather than indicative of national trends.