Democratic decentralisation refers to the systematic transfer of authority, responsibility, resources, and decision-making power from higher levels of government to democratically elected institutions at lower levels, particularly local governments. It is rooted in the idea that democracy is strengthened when governance is brought closer to the people and when citizens have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their everyday lives. Unlike mere administrative decentralisation, democratic decentralisation emphasizes political empowerment, local autonomy, accountability, and popular participation as core principles of governance. At its most basic level, democratic decentralisation means dispersing power spatially and institutionally so that governance is not monopolized by a centralized authority. It involves the creation and strengthening of local self-governing institutions that derive legitimacy from elections and operate within a constitutional and legal framework. These institutions are expected to plan, implement, and monitor development activities, deliver public services, and represent local interests. The democratic element distinguishes it from technocratic or bureaucratic decentralisation by ensuring that power flows to elected bodies rather than appointed officials. Conceptually, democratic decentralisation rests on several interrelated ideas. One central idea is subsidiarity, which holds that functions should be performed at the lowest level of government capable of carrying them out effectively. This principle assumes that local governments are better positioned to understand local needs, preferences, and conditions, thereby enabling more responsive and context-sensitive policymaking. Another core idea is participation, which views citizens not merely as beneficiaries of state action but as active agents in governance. Democratic decentralisation seeks to institutionalize