Stalin said "It's who counts the votes that matters". The party has monopoly power through manipulating the rules. The center of influence manipulates the party rules, thus dictates the choice of whom is allowed to represent the citizens, thus removes the validity of the popular vote.
The citizens have no way to redress the lack of party influence, as it has become a closed club, with management dedicated to the power status quo. Only those who agree with the party, as constituted, can join the fraternity and hope to influence outcomes.
The only alternative is not to play their game, but to go a separate way, and form an alternative to their false choice.
“The only alternative is not to play their game, but to go a separate way, and form an alternative to their false choice.”
Let me know how that works out.