Police in Malawi have arrested eight people on suspicion of manipulating election data as the nation anxiously awaits the final results of Tuesday’s general election.
Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu confirmed the arrests on Friday, saying the suspects, who were employed as data entry clerks, attempted to tamper with vote figures during the tallying process.
The development has heightened tension in a country still haunted by memories of the controversial 2019 election, which was annulled by the Constitutional Court after widespread irregularities were discovered, including altered results sheets marked with Tipp-Ex.
Tight Race Between Mutharika and Chakwera
Preliminary tallies show former president Peter Mutharika in the lead, with incumbent Lazarus Chakwera trailing in second place. Malawi’s electoral law requires a candidate to secure more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff.
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP), led by Chakwera, has already lodged a complaint with the electoral commission, citing alleged irregularities in the ongoing count. However, officials have not disclosed details of the claims.
Results Expected by Wednesday
The Malawi Electoral Commission is expected to announce the verified final results by Wednesday, the legal deadline for the tally. Authorities have stressed that they will not release partial or unverified results to avoid disputes.
The stakes are high as Mutharika, 85, seeks a dramatic political comeback, while Chakwera, 70, is fighting to retain the presidency he won in the 2020 re-run election.
Elections Amid Economic Hardship
Beyond the presidential race, Malawians also voted in parliamentary and local elections. Campaigns were overshadowed by an economic crisis marked by fuel shortages, foreign currency scarcity, and inflation nearing 30%. Everyday goods such as chicken now cost up to $20 in Lilongwe supermarkets, in a country where most citizens survive on less than $2 a day.
The arrests underscore the heightened scrutiny surrounding Malawi’s electoral process and the fragile trust in its democratic institutions.
