Corruption significantly undermines democratic principles by eroding public trust and distorting political processes. It leads to the misallocation of resources, undermines accountability, and creates inequalities in political participation. Citizens may feel disenfranchised, leading to lower voter turnout and diminished civic engagement. Furthermore, corruption fosters a climate where illegal activities become normalized, enabling illicit influence over governmental decisions. The result is a weakened democracy, where the voices of the people are compromised, and governance becomes less responsive to public needs.