in what ways are present day elections differnt from the ways in which rulers were chosen in janapadas?

Rulers in the Janapadas were chosen on the basis of performance of certain rituals like the horse sacrifice, where the rajas of different kingdoms fought with each other to establish their power and declare their supremacy. But this is not the case in present day democracy which is based on elections, where the people elect their representatives by casting their votes and elect them who in turn  make laws for them.