The main functions of political parties are :
(i) Parties contest elections: In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties.
(ii) Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them.
(iii) Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.
(iv) Parties shape public opinions. They raise and highlight issues.
(v) Parties form and run governments.
(vi) The parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power. Opposition role is important in a democracy as it voices different views and criticizes the government for its failures or wrong policies.
(vii) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments.
