By Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore
In ancient times, election was a divine affair particularly in theology which meant chosen by God. Thus it was a selection by the clergy who represented God. In Latin, it was ligerilect which meant pick. In ancient times, a judge was also considered as a divine person to help people get salvation. Thus in ancient Greece and Rome, people believed in the hand of divinity in the process of selection.
