Originally published in 1958 at a time when many African and Asian nations were newly independent or going through the process of independence, this book sets out the facts and arguments which have to be considered in designing and running electoral systems. The book treats the problems of free elections in Africa and Asia objectively and uncontroversially, without pre-supposing any previous training in political science. The discussion of 'free elections' raises large issues about political norms and ideologies and about the working of political systems in different societies, and the book tackles these questions head on. The book gives a balanced account of the whole issue of elections, covering on the one hand qualifications and voting systems, and on the other hand less ‘political’ questions of administration and control, which are of equal importance in the working of an electoral system.