Corruption, Elections, and Human Rights: Empirical Analyses and Impacts on Brazilian Democracy

Abstract

The relationship between corruption, elections, and human rights is complex and interdependent. Electoral corruption undermines democratic principles, affecting human rights and compromising the legitimacy of governments, often perpetuating abuses of power and social inequalities. Corruption in electoral processes jeopardizes the right to free and fair voting, a fundamental human right guaranteed by international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 21). Vote buying, for example, occurs in many countries where corrupt candidates use money or goods to purchase votes, manipulating the democratic process. In Brazil, several politicians are accused of distributing food and money in exchange for votes, compromising the genuine choice of representatives. Our premise is that electoral corruption undermines the democratic principle of equal participation, erodes trust in institutions, and jeopardizes human rights. Combating electoral corruption is essential to ensure transparent processes and the promotion of human rights.