If only wealthy candidates can campaign effectively in an election, which democratic concern will increase?

Correct answer: Equal opportunity and fair competition will weaken

Correct answer: A, equal opportunity and fair competition will weaken. Elections are democratic only when citizens can choose among candidates under reasonably fair conditions. Campaigning helps candidates explain their ideas, but if wealth alone determines who can reach voters, poorer candidates may be unable to present their programmes. Voters may then hear mainly from rich candidates, so their choice is less balanced. This creates the democratic concern of money power and unequal political opportunity. Option A is correct because it directly describes the loss of fairness. Option B is wrong because wealth-based campaigning does not automatically make voting freer; it may influence voters unfairly. Option C is wrong because poor voters do not gain power merely because rich candidates spend more. Option D is wrong because a clear mandate is about the result, not about equal competition. Memory cue: money should not decide whose voice voters can hear.