Define the candidacy record
A nomination, a registered ballot entry and a unique person are not necessarily the same unit. One person may appear in several lists or contests. A published register should be read according to the source's definition and date.
Candidate share describes a group's proportion of a defined candidacy total. It does not establish the number of seats that group won or the membership of an institution after the election.
Read outcomes within the contest
An elected outcome needs a clear office, election and source. A candidacy record without an outcome cannot be treated as proof that the person won or lost. Absence of an outcome field means that the information is not established in that record.
The relationship between votes and office depends on the electoral rules. Seat allocation, party lists and constituency contests may require different kinds of interpretation.
Use compatible comparisons
Before calculating a success measure, check that candidate and elected counts cover the same eligible contests and reporting period. A count from one election cannot supply the denominator for another. Keep national aggregates separate from components they already include.
When presenting a comparison, name both measures rather than relying on the word participation. Clear definitions allow readers to understand opportunity at nomination and outcomes at election without collapsing the two into one conclusion.