Enter your search terms in lower case. The search engine will find both the upper and lower case instances of your search term.
If you want to search for a specific word, literally as it is, enclose it in double quotation marks, e.g. "elections". The result will be all pages containing the word elections, but not election.
If you want to search for a string of words or a phrase, enter the string in the specific order you want it, e.g. local government. The result will be all pages containing the two words exactly as you entered it.
If you want to search for pages with two or more words appearing in it, but not necessary side by side, e.g. Africa and elections, enter: africa AND elections. The result will be all pages containing the words Africa as well as elections.
If you want to search for pages with either of these words appearing in it, enter africa OR elections. The result will be all pages containing at least one of your search terms (all pages containing the word Africa, all pages containing the word elections and all pages containing both these words.
Exclude pages that are not relevant to your search by preceding the search term NOT, e.g. africa NOT elections.