Electoral fraud is illegal interference with the process of an
election. Acts of
fraud affect vote counts to bring about a election result, whether by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidates or both. Also called
voter fraud, the mechanisms involved include illegal voter registration, intimidation at polls and improper vote counting. What electoral fraud is under law varies from country to country. Many kinds of voter fraud are outlawed in electoral legislation but others are in violation of general laws such as those banning
assault,
harassment or
libel. Although technically the term 'electoral fraud' covers only those acts which are illegal, the term is sometimes used to describe acts which although legal, are considered to be morally unacceptable, outside the spirit of electoral laws or in violation of the principles of democracy.
Show elections, in which only one candidate can win, are sometimes considered to be electoral fraud although they may comply with the law.
In national elections, successful electoral fraud can have the effect of a
coup d'état or
corruption of democracy. In a
narrow election a small amount of fraud may be enough to change the result.
If the result is not affected, fraud can still have a damaging effect if not punished, as it can reduce voters' confidence in
democracy.
Even the perception of fraud can be damaging as it makes people less inclined to accept election results. This can lead to the breakdown of democracy
and the establishment of a dictatorship.
