What is the biggest effect when fairness in counting is questioned?

Correct answer: Public trust in the electoral process may decline

Direct answer: A is correct. A democratic election needs more than a numerical result; people must also have reason to believe that the result was obtained honestly and according to the rules. If counting is suspected to be unfair, citizens and candidates may doubt the legitimacy of the winner and may become less willing to accept future electoral decisions. The immediate and broad effect is therefore a decline in public trust. B is wrong because eligibility to vote is governed by election law and does not automatically expand because counting is questioned. C is wrong because nomination deadlines are fixed by the election schedule, not by public doubts about counting. D is wrong because a campaign period cannot automatically be extended for that reason. These choices confuse confidence in counting with administrative changes in the election calendar. Memory cue: doubts about the count weaken confidence in the result, not the voter list or timetable.