Political participations in the developing nations for the sake of democracy is more of a militarized version of a musical chairs game. It is a trend that predates independence of most nations that experienced colonialism. The ruling class is addicted to the use of thugs and assassins during elections to gain victory. It is perpetrated to gain access to state power for just two reasons;
Firstly, the state power is a veritable asset to control the people and to suppress the opponents. This leads to continuity of regime.
Secondly, the state power is an entrepot and repository of wealth. So the capture of it gives one the undue advantages to engage in primitive accumulation, that is inordinate selfish acquisitions of billions of money at the expenses of the populace.