Fixed-term election

A fixed-term election is an election that occurs on a set date, which cannot be changed by incumbent politicians other than through exceptional mechanisms if at all. The office holder generally takes office for a set amount of time, and their term of office or mandate ends automatically.

Most modern democracies hold fixed-terms elections. The term of office varies, but in many countries it is five years. Fixed-term elections are common for directly elected executive officers, such as directly elected mayors, governors and presidents, but less common for prime ministers and parliaments in a parliamentary system of government.