Abstract: Electoral fraud is a grave threat to democracy and economic stability, especially in Zimbabwe where such practices undermine public trust and economic well-being. This paper examines the spill over impact of electoral fraud on household livelihoods in Zimbabwe with specific attention to how fraudulent electoral practices shape economic realities. Based on a quantitative analysis of survey data and secondary economic indicators, this research establishes that there is an inverse relationship between the frequency of electoral fraud and key economic indicators like income levels, employment rates and social service access. Consequently, these findings demonstrate how the infringement upon democratic rights has affected economic security endangering the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans by discrediting their means of survival. These results further point towards a significant degree of victimization by corruption on the economy’s stability alongside livelihoods for ordinary Zimbabwean people stressing for comprehensive electoral reforms. These results will help in understanding socio-economic implications associated with malpractices during elections as well as suggest ways to minimize them.
Keywords: Electoral fraud, Zimbabwe, livelihoods, economic impact, democracy, quantitative analysis, electoral reforms, socio-economic consequences
