Electoral fraud severely undermines the legitimacy of democratic institutions by eroding public trust. When citizens believe that elections are manipulated, voter turnout decreases, leading to representative gaps in government. Such fraud can manifest in various forms, including voter suppression, ballot tampering, and misinformation campaigns. It not only jeopardizes the integrity of the electoral process but can also lead to social unrest and political instability. Ultimately, longstanding electoral fraud results in weakened governmental authority and diminished citizen engagement, hindering the functionality of democracy.