Malawi police arrest eight for alleged election fraud as results await final tally

Malawi police have arrested eight people on suspicion of electoral fraud as the country awaits final results from Tuesday's general elections, officials said. The suspects, described as data-entry clerks, were accused of attempting to manipulate vote tallies, Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu said.

Authorities said the arrests reflect ongoing vigilance during a vote that could determine the next president, as well as a new parliament and local councils. Malawi's 2019 presidential election was annulled by the High Court over widespread irregularities, prompting tighter security for this cycle. Official tallies published so far show former president Peter Mutharika ahead of incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in the presidential race, though results are still being verified. Chakwera's Malawi Congress Party said it had lodged a complaint with the electoral commission, alleging irregularities in the count but not detailing what those irregularities were. The commission emphasized that final tallies will be announced only after all votes have been tallied and verified to protect the integrity of the process. By law, the electoral commission has until the end of Wednesday to declare the final tallies.

Malawi voters across 36 districts participated in a ballot that also elected members of parliament and local officials. The campaign took place against a backdrop of a deteriorating economy, with inflation creeping toward 30 percent and shortages of fuel and foreign currency. The cost of basic goods has surged; in the capital Lilongwe, a frozen chicken is listed at about $20, illustrating the hardship many households face as the country seeks a new leadership to steer through the crisis.

More results from the nationwide tally are expected on Saturday, with the electoral commission stressing that the counting and verification process must be completed before any final declaration. If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the presidential vote, a runoff will be held. In 2019, when Mutharika's victory was annulled, the court cited widespread irregularities, including reports of tampering with results sheets using Tipp-Ex correction fluid, underscoring the stakes of the current tally. The commission has said it intends to announce the final tallies only after thorough verification to prevent challenges to the outcome.

As officials continue to publish results district by district, supporters and observers are watching closely for signs of irregularities and for any potential challenges to the final numbers. The events are unfolding as Malawi grapples with an economy in distress, making the outcome not only a political milestone but a test of the country’s ability to conduct credible elections in a difficult year.