Malawi Election: Eight Arrested for Alleged Fraud Amidst Vote Counting

Police in Malawi have taken eight people into custody in connection with alleged electoral fraud, as the country is still awaiting the definitive outcomes of its general election held on Tuesday. Merlyne Yolamu, the Inspector General, stated that the arrested individuals were working as data entry clerks and were reportedly attempting to tamper with the election figures. This development has heightened the vigilance of Malawi’s electoral commission, which was particularly cautious this year after the 2019 presidential election results were annulled due to widespread irregularities, a decision that saw the incumbent president’s victory overturned. Current unofficial tallies indicate that former President Peter Mutharika is leading the presidential race, with incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in the second position. Official results from Malawi’s 36 districts are anticipated over the weekend. To be declared the winner, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote; otherwise, a run-off election will be necessary. The Malawi Congress Party, representing Chakwera, has formally lodged a complaint with the electoral commission, citing discovered irregularities in the vote count, though the specifics of these claims have not been disclosed. Similarly, the United Democratic Front has also submitted a complaint regarding “serious irregularities in multiple tallying centres.” The electoral commission is mandated to announce the final election results by the end of Wednesday, ensuring all votes are tallied and verified to prevent any challenges to the outcome. The nation’s electoral process has been heavily influenced by the ongoing economic crisis, characterized by severe shortages of fuel and foreign currency, with inflation rates approaching 30%.