Final answer:
Illiberal regimes may use democratic institutions such as elections, a free press, an independent judiciary, and political parties to their advantage by controlling or manipulating these entities to maintain power while stifling true democratic practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many illiberal regimes maintain democratic institutions such as elections and a free press. However, they can manipulate these institutions to their advantage. As for elections, illiberal regimes might hold them but ensure the outcomes favor the ruling party, often by controlling the electoral process, intimidating the opposition, or manipulating vote counts. The existence of a free press might be proclaimed, but in practice, such regimes often resort to media censorship or spread propaganda, thereby suppressing critical voices and maintaining a facade of democratic processes without the associated liberties. An independent judiciary and human rights organizations can also be superficially supported by illiberal regimes. They might control the judiciary through the appointment of loyal judges or by interfering in legal proceedings, thus undermining its independence. Human rights organizations could be allowed to exist but are often restricted and can face harassment, reducing their efficacy in upholding civil liberties.