"To contest the election" means to compete or challenge the outcome of an election by actively participating in it with the aim of winning or proving that the results are incorrect or unfair. Full definition
Less than a year from the most tightly - contested election in modern history, the opposition leader should be doing anything but playing it safe. (totalpolitics.com)
If they like let them investigate the whole world, I want to ask them, did they not contest election? (nigeriapoliticsonline.com)
They would like a party that contests elections on the basis of a genuinely liberal democratic manifesto rather than a pale imitation of the policy positions of the other parties. (socialliberal.net)