Malawian police have arrested eight people on suspicion of electoral fraud as the country awaits the final results of Tuesday’s tightly contested general elections.
Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu said the suspects, employed as data entry clerks, were caught attempting to manipulate vote figures.
The arrests come as Malawi’s Electoral Commission remains on high alert following the annulled 2019 election, when the Constitutional Court nullified then-President Peter Mutharika’s victory over widespread irregularities, including tampering with results sheets.
So far, official tallies suggest Mutharika is leading the presidential race, with incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera trailing in second place. However, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has already lodged a complaint with the commission, alleging irregularities in the count, though without specifying details.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) also filed a petition, citing “serious irregularities in multiple tallying centres.” UDF candidate Atupele Muluzi claimed evidence had been submitted to the commission but did not provide any at a press conference.
The commission has urged political parties not to prematurely declare victory and said final results would only be released once all tallies are verified, in line with the law that sets Wednesday as the deadline.
In 2019, Mutharika’s annulled victory led to a historic re-run, which Chakwera won decisively, becoming president. Now, Mutharika, 85, is seeking a dramatic return to power against his long-time rival, 70-year-old Chakwera.
Malawians also voted for parliamentary and local representatives in an election dominated by frustration over a deepening economic crisis. The country faces soaring inflation at nearly 30%, chronic fuel shortages, and a foreign exchange crunch. With most citizens surviving on less than $2 a day, even basic food items such as a frozen chicken in the capital, Lilongwe, now cost around $20
