Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
Authoritarianism is characterized by highly concentrated and centralized power maintained through political repression and exclusion of political challenges. It uses political parties and mass organization to mobilize people for the attainment of the goals of the regime. Authoritarianism demands unquestioning obedience to authority believing it is important for maintaining social order and preventing disruption. Several typologies have been developed to describe their morphological variations. Authoritarian regimes can be autocratic or oligarchic in nature, based on party, leader or military rule. Authoritarian governments often lack free and competitive, direct or indirect election of leaders' or both. They also check civil liberties such as freedom of speech and expression. Authoritarian state may include nominally democratic institutions such as political parties, parliaments and elections designed to legitimize dictatorship through deceptive and uncompetitive elections.
Authoritarian regimes legitimise their dictatorship through which of the below methods?
A. Through periodic fair elections.
B. Through competitive election of leaders.
C. Through deceptive and indirect elections.
D. Through blocking opportunities to potential challenges
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: