Describe the basic features of a democratic state

• Periodic elections .to elect
  representatives.
• Equal
  opportunity to participate in the decisions of the government. 
• Fundamental human rights are guaranteed.
• Rights of the minority are guaranteed.
• Free and fair elections (an independent
  electoral commission updating the electoral register, secret ballot etc).  
• Existence of political parties in the
  state. 
• Existence of opposition
  party to be a watch dog of the government.
• An independent judiciary.
•  Operation of the rule of law.
• The franchise is opened to all on the
  basis of universal adult
  suffrage.
• Provision of special procedures to amend
  entrenched parts of the
  constitution e.g. creation of new states impeachments
  of the president e.t.c.  
• Supremacy of the constitution
• Free press.