Vote buying

Vote buying is an illegal practice where candidates or their supporters offer money, gifts, or other incentives to voters in exchange for their votes. This undermines the fairness of elections, as it can sway results based on financial power rather than voter choice. Vote buying often occurs in regions with weak regulations and can lead to corruption, decreased public trust in the electoral process, and a government that does not represent the true will of the people. Efforts to combat vote buying include legal penalties and public awareness campaigns to encourage ethical voting practices.