Political corruption undermines democratic institutions by eroding public trust, enabling abuse of power, and distorting policy outcomes. When officials engage in corrupt practices, such as bribery or nepotism, the legitimacy of governance diminishes. Citizens may feel disenfranchised, leading to lower voter turnout and reduced civic engagement. Corruption can skew resource allocation, favoring elites and perpetuating inequality. Ultimately, it weakens the foundation of democracy, as power becomes concentrated in the hands of a few rather than representing the will of the people.