Which one among the following is NOT the central feature of Polyarchy?

Polyarchy, a term popularized by Robert Dahl to describe 'non-ideal' real-world democracies, is characterized by high degrees of competition and participation [1]. According to Dahl's criteria, central features include government control being vested in elected officials and the conduct of free, fair, and periodic elections. A fundamental pillar is inclusive citizenship, which ensures that practically all adults have the right to vote (universal suffrage) and, crucially, the right to run for elective office. Furthermore, polyarchies must guarantee civil liberties, such as freedom of expression and the right to criticize or protest against the government. Therefore, the statement that the 'right to run for office is restricted' is NOT a feature of polyarchy; rather, eligibility for public office must be open to nearly all adult citizens to satisfy the requirement of political equality.

Sources

1. [1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/polyarchy