What is the triennial act?

The Triennial Act, passed in 1694 in England, mandated that general elections for the House of Commons be held every three years. This legislation aimed to ensure greater accountability of Parliament to the electorate and to curb the influence of the monarchy over parliamentary sessions. It was eventually repealed in 1716, leading to longer intervals between elections. The act is significant in the history of parliamentary democracy, reflecting early efforts to establish regular electoral processes.