Democracy, through its various forms, has given billions of people across the globe hope for a better future, even if it has not solved all their problems. With all its drawbacks, democracy is still not all about failed promises -- in fact, for many it becomes the only tool of power, the only source of voice they possess.

As the world marks the International Day of Democracy on September 15, we present a collection of photographs, each defining individual stories, symbolising individual struggles.

In the opening picture, a man shows his ink stained finger after casting his vote at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Cairo, in November, 2011.

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Election officials carry electronic voting machines on elephants ahead of the 2004 parliamentary elections in the village of Lurigoun, 50 km east of Guwahati, Assam.

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People make their choice during the snap parliament elections in Bauska, Lativia.

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A Chilean electoral official counts ballots after closing a polling station during the presidential elections at Santiago.

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A voter is seen at the polling centre during the first day of voting in Kadogli in South Kordofan state, Sudan.

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A nun waits for her turn to cast ballots as other nuns vote in booths at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea.

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A sign in five languages directs where to go at a polling station during the US presidential election in New York.

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A man casts his ballot at a polling station at Kanekes village on the outskirts of Lebak regency, Indonesia's Banten province, during the 2009 election.

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A newly married bride casts her ballot as her husband stands inside a polling booth made at a classroom in Ahmedabad  during the 2012 Gujarat assembly election.

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A voter marks her ballot in the 2007 presidential runoff in Guatemala City.

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A donkey transports ballot boxes to villages unreachable by vehicles in Panjshir province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, ahead of the 2010 parliamentary elections.

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An election officer brings a ballot box from polling station at a counting centre for the 2013 upper house election in Tokyo, Japan.

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A man in a Guy Fawkes mask holds a sign during the "Occupy Toronto" movement at St James Park in Toronto, Canada.

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A Nepali woman fills up her voter's registration form before the deadline to register for the upcoming constituent assembly election, to be held in November 19 later this year at the Kathmandu district election office.

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A sadhu holds up his voter identity card for the photographer after casting his vote at a polling station in Gorakhpur during the 2012 Uttar Pradesh election.

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A roll of “I Voted Today” stickers awaits early voters at a polling station in downtown Washington during the 2012 presidential election.

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An election worker marks votes down on an official tally board outside a convention center in Manila after the 2007 elections in Philippines.

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A German woman wearing a traditional Black Forest costume casts her vote during the 2005 general election at the polling station in Gutach.