The rite of election is essentially a welcome into the parish, by both catechumen and parishioners, that points to the journey into full communion you are about to take.
It was referred to by early fathers: so is part of early Church history,
Just looking that up - hypollytus speaks of it in 2nd century ( when the church was still not able to practice openly, is amazing such documents survived ) and a more detailed account is found in fourth century the time of the creed, and the canon - (New Testament) was finally confirmed.
So the rite is not in itself a sacrament, but ( my view) adds to the beauty and richness of conforming to Christian history. There was a time during the worst of the persecutions, when catechumens were asked to leave before the Eucharist.
Here is something interesting on it.
https://georgiabulletin.org/commentary/2004/03/rite-election-can-traced-back-early-church/
But do focus on early fathers... read them, you will find the underpinning of much of what you are taught about the faith.
For example ignatius ( he and polycarp disciples of John the apostle) in his letter to smyrneans speaks of a Eucharist of the real body, valid only if performed by succession bishops or appointees. If John didn't know what john 6 meant , who did!
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