Generally speaking, in a republic, it is "elected officials," who represent territories and citizens in government, since having the citizens represent themselves would be far too cumbersome.
A republic is a form of government in which the power is vested in people (citizens) and it is the people who vote to elect officials to act as representatives of their interests and rights in the government. The creation of laws and the administration of the country is carried by elected officials and not by monarchs.
