Police in Malawi have arrested eight people for alleged electoral fraud as the country waits for the final results of Tuesday's general election.
The Inspector General, Merlyne Yolamu, reported that the suspects, working as data entry clerks, were attempting to manipulate electoral figures.
This election follows the controversial 2019 elections, where the highest court annulled the victory of then-President Peter Mutharika due to widespread irregularities.
As a result, the electoral commission is on high alert for any potential issues. Preliminary counts indicate Mutharika is ahead in the presidential race, with incumbent Lazarus Chakwera trailing behind.
Final results from Malawi's 36 districts are expected by Saturday. To secure victory outright, a candidate must achieve over 50% of the vote, or a run-off will be necessary.
In the meantime, Chakwera's Malawi Congress Party has filed a complaint with the electoral commission, alleging discrepancies in the vote tally, although specific claims of irregularities have not been disclosed.
The electoral commission has committed to announcing results only after thorough verification to prevent disputes over the outcomes. According to law, the commission has until the end of Wednesday to disclose the final counts.
In the tumultuous political history of Malawi, the last election’s annulment involved multiple instances of tampering, including the notorious use of Tipp-Ex correction fluid on results sheets.
Chakwera, at 70, previously won a decisive re-run election, while Mutharika, aged 85, is striving for a significant political comeback. Malawians also participated in parliamentary and local elections amid an economic crisis marked by severe shortages of fuel and foreign currency.
Currently, the official inflation rate hovers around 30%, with essential goods skyrocketing in price, creating a stark contrast to the economic situation for the majority of Malawians, who survive on less than $2 a day.
