This is what we call a "syntax sugar". In fact, elif replace
else:
if ...:
(command)
it is used because, if there is some other conditions, your code will became
if ... :
(command)
else:
if ... :
(command)
else:
if ... :
(command)
else:
if ... :
(command)
which is very difficult to read. So, all of this could be replaced by :
if ... :
(command)
elif ... :
(command)
elif ... :
(command)
elif ... :
(command)
elif is used to make the code more "beautifull" and easy to read for you or other developers
(sorry for my bad english )